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Biofeedback for Fecal Incontinence

This study has been completed.
Sponsor:
Information provided by:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT00124904
First received: July 27, 2005
Last updated: January 12, 2010
Last verified: January 2010
History of Changes
  Purpose

Fecal incontinence affects 2% of adults in the United States. Biofeedback has been recommended for the treatment of fecal incontinence because uncontrolled studies over the past 25 years suggest that these treatments are as effective as medical or surgical management and involve no risk. However, placebo-controlled trials are still lacking.

The aims of this study are: (1) to compare biofeedback to alternative therapies for which patients have a similar expectation of benefit; (2) to identify which patients are most likely to benefit; and (3) to assess the impact of treatment on quality of life.


Condition Intervention
Fecal Incontinence
 Behavioral: Biofeedback
Behavioral: Kegel exercises

Study Type: Interventional
Study Design: Allocation: Randomized
Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single Blind
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Official Title: Biofeedback for Fecal Incontinence and Constipation

Resource links provided by NLM:

U.S. FDA Resources

Further study details as provided by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK):

Primary Outcome Measures:
  • Proportion of subjects reporting adequate relief per treatment group

Secondary Outcome Measures:
  • Demonstrate association of improvement in quality of life with treatment outcome
  • Identify predictors of successful treatment outcome

Estimated Enrollment: 165
Study Start Date: September 1999
Estimated Study Completion Date: December 2006
Detailed Description:

Study I is a long-term, prospective, single-blind study comparing biofeedback for fecal incontinence to a standard therapy (Kegel exercises) that is associated with a similar expectation of improvement (i.e., comparable placebo effect). Prior to randomization, patients will receive medical therapy (antidiarrheal medications as appropriate) and education for 4 weeks, and only patients who remain incontinent will be randomized. Anal canal squeeze pressures and rectal sensory thresholds will be tested before and after treatment. Patients will keep a diary throughout baseline and treatment, and they will be re-assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months. Treatment will consist of 6 clinic visits at 2-week intervals. The primary outcome is the patient's response to the question, "Have you had satisfactory relief of fecal incontinence (yes/no)?" This question is asked at 3 months following the end of treatment and at each follow-up visit. The investigators will develop a detailed treatment manual for fecal incontinence which would permit other investigators to replicate our study.

  Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:   16 Years and older
Genders Eligible for Study:   Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   No
Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Males or females age 16 or above who have an average of one or more episodes of fecal incontinence per week

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Previous biofeedback treatment
  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00124904

Locations
United States, North Carolina
University of North Carolina Department of Medicine
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States, 27599
Sponsors and Collaborators
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Investigators
Principal Investigator: William E Whitehead, PhD University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
  More Information

Additional Information:
Center website  This link exits the ClinicalTrials.gov site

Publications:
Heymen S, Scarlett Y, Whitehead WE. Anorectal physiology predicts response to conservative medical management of fecal incontinence. Am J Gastroenterol Suppl 2004;99:M1583.
Heymen S, Scarlett Y, Whitehead WE. Education and medical management resolve fecal incontinence in 35%, but depression and greater symptom severity predict a poor response. Am J Gastroenterol Suppl 2004;99:T1374.
Heymen S, Scarlett Y, and Whitehead WE. Elevated Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) Scores Predict Biofeedback Treatment Failure for Fecal Incontinence and Constipation (abstract). Gastroenterology 2003,124:4(suppl 1)A-685.
Jones KR, Heymen S, Whitehead WE. Biofeedback for Anorectal Disorders. In: Drutz HP, Herschorn S, Diamant NE (Eds), Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery. London, Springer-Verlag, 2003. Pp 313-325.
Whitehead WE, Heymen S, Schuster MM. Motility as a therapeutic modality: biofeedback treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Chapter 27. In MM Schuster, MD Crowell, KL Koch (Eds.), Schuster Atlas of Gastrointestinal Motility in Health and Disease. London, BC Decker Inc. 2002; 381-397.
Heymen S, Jones KR, Ringel Y, Scarlett Y, Drossman D, Whitehead WE (abstract). Biofeedback for fecal incontinence and constipation: the role of medical management and education. Gastro 2001 (suppl 1):120, A397.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00124904     History of Changes
Other Study ID Numbers: RO1 DK57048a (completed)
Study First Received: July 27, 2005
Last Updated: January 12, 2010
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government

Keywords provided by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK):
Biofeedback
Incontinence

Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Fecal Incontinence
Rectal Diseases
Intestinal Diseases
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Digestive System Diseases

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on May 21, 2013