Electrical stimulation for faecal incontinence in adults (Cochrane Review)

A substantive amendment to this systematic review was last made on 10 November 1999. Cochrane reviews are regularly checked and updated if necessary.

Background: Faecal incontinence is a particularly embarrassing and distressing condition with significant medical, social and economic implications. Electrical stimulation has been used with apparent success in the treatment of faecal incontinence. However, standards of treatment are still lacking and the magnitude of alleged benefits has yet to be established.

Objectives: To determine the effects of electrical stimulation for the treatment of faecal incontinence in adults.

Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Incontinence Group trials register (January 2002), The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (Issue 4, 1999), MEDLINE (1966 to November 1999), EMBASE (January 1998 to October 1999) and reference lists of potentially eligible articles up to November 1999. Date of the most recent searches: January 2002.

Selection criteria: All randomised or quasi-randomised trials evaluating electrical stimulation in adults with faecal incontinence.

Data collection and analysis: Three reviewers assessed the methodological quality of potentially eligible trials and two reviewers independently extracted data from the included trial. A wide range of outcome measures were considered.

Main results: Only one eligible trial with 40 participants was identified. It was a randomised trial, but it suffered from methodological drawbacks and did not follow up patients beyond the end of the trial period. Findings from this trial suggest that electrical stimulation with anal biofeedback and exercises provides more short-term benefits than vaginal biofeedback and exercises for women with obstetric-related faecal incontinence. No further conclusions could be drawn from the data available.

Reviewers' conclusions: At present, there are insufficient data to allow reliable conclusions to be drawn on the effects of electrical stimulation in the management of faecal incontinence. There is a suggestion that electrical stimulation may have a therapeutic effect, but this is not certain. Larger, more generalisable trials are needed.

Citation: Hosker G, Norton C, Brazzelli M. Electrical stimulation for faecal incontinence in adults (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2003. Oxford: Update Software.

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This is an abstract of a regularly updated, systematic review prepared and maintained by the Cochrane Collaboration. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).

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File Reference: AB001310.htm