Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Interventions for Oncology Patients

Effectiveness of Biofeedback Therapy in Patients with Bowel Dysfunction Following Rectal Cancer Surgery: A Systemic Review with Meta-Analysis

“…Although there is no statistical difference because of the small sample size, Allgayer et al 19 used EUS as an evaluation index of postoperative bowel function. The effectiveness of biofeedback therapy combined with PFMT in the postoperative bowel function of this review is consistent with the results of the systematic review conducted by Maris et al 33 The present results indicate that patients' reported incident episodes, bowel motions (per day), and number of bowel movements/day improved properly after biofeedback treatment. Overall, it is hard to tell whether the positive effect of biofeedback treatment on the patients' reported bowel function measurement is the result of natural recovery or the Hawthorne effect.…”

“…The conclusion is the same as in our review, which affirms the positive effect of biofeedback therapy. 32,33 The conclusion requires careful analysis. Recent studies have indicated that the distance from the lower end to the dentate line, the height of the anastomosis, and whether a defunctioning stoma is performed are risk factors for postoperative bowel dysfunction in patients with rectal cancer.…”

Healthcare Providers' Perspectives of the Supportive Care Needs of Men With Advanced Prostate Cancer

“…However, in another controlled trial, a physiotherapist-led physical training intervention did not help depression and anxiety in a sample of men (of which 20% had metastatic disease), but the authors suggested small sample sizes were a limitation (Berglund et al, 2007). The role of the physiotherapist as an integral member of the oncology healthcare team is developing and will become clearer with more research (Massa, 2011).…”

Pelvic floor muscle training for bowel dysfunction following colorectal cancer surgery: A systematic review

“…[15][16][17] Previous narrative literature reviews have also suggested that pelvic floor exercise with biofeedback may be tried as a treatment option to improve muscular strength of the external anal sphincter, rectal sensitivity, and pelvic floor muscle (PFM) coordination for cancer patients with pelvic floor or bowel symptoms following surgery. 14,18,19 While a recent systematic review reported that conservative therapies such as pelvic floor re-education and colonic irrigation can improve anorectal function in patients undergoing rectal resection for cancer and non-cancer diagnoses, 20 an important literature gap still exists in terms of the benefit of PMFT in patients specially with CRC. Individuals with CRC behave differently to those undergoing colorectal surgery for non-cancer diagnoses in terms of symptoms, surgical approaches, and side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.…”

“…Of these, PFMT is a highly recommended conservative management in the treatment of fecal incontinence in non‐cancer populations . Previous narrative literature reviews have also suggested that pelvic floor exercise with biofeedback may be tried as a treatment option to improve muscular strength of the external anal sphincter, rectal sensitivity, and pelvic floor muscle (PFM) coordination for cancer patients with pelvic floor or bowel symptoms following surgery . While a recent systematic review reported that conservative therapies such as pelvic floor re‐education and colonic irrigation can improve anorectal function in patients undergoing rectal resection for cancer and non‐cancer diagnoses, an important literature gap still exists in terms of the benefit of PMFT in patients specially with CRC.…”