Biofeedback Treatment for Functional Constipation

The purpose of this randomized, controlled trial is to examine how well biofeedback treatment works to improve constipation. The study is comparing two kinds of biofeedback treatment: 1) anorectal-specific biofeedback therapy and 2) generalized biofeedback therapy using relaxation techniques.

The study will also examine which medical and psychological factors determine biofeedback success for treating constipation, such as bowel habits, emotional reactions to constipation, and levels of stress and psychological distress.

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Key information

Conditions

Constipation Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Digestive

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of California, San Francisco

San Francisco, California, 94115, United States

About this study

This is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the efficacy of anorectal biofeedback therapy for functional constipation secondary to pelvic floor dyssynergia. Participants will be randomized to either six sessions of anorectal biofeedback or to six sessions of generalized biofeedback.

Participants will complete questionnaires at baseline, at completion of randomized treatment(12 weeks), and six months after completion of treatment to measure change in bowel habits, constipation severity, constipation-related quality of life, and constipation-related disability. An examination of psychosocial factors will also be conducted prior to treatment to distinguish which ones are predictive of biofeedback success for functional constipation.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

chronic constipation
medical recommendation to undergo biofeedback training

Treatment and study plan

Biofeedback

Behavioral

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of California, San Francisco

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Biofeedback for Functional Constipation: Efficacy and Predictive Factors of Success

Important dates

Study start: 2005
Study completion: 2007
First posted: Jul 18, 2007
Registry last updated: Jun 25, 2010

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed