Effects of Interferential Electrical Stimulation Plus Pelvic Floor Muscles Exercises on Functional Constipation in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial. (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sharifi‐Rad, Lida; Ladi‐Seyedian, Seyedeh‐Sanam; Manouchehri, Navid; Alimadadi, Hosein; Allahverdi, Bahar; Motamed, Farzaneh; Fallahi, Gholam‐Hossein
• Is Part Of: American journal of gastroenterology. Volume 113:Number 2(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: Stomach -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Intestines -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Gastrointestinal Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.33
• DOI: 10.1038/ajg.2017.459
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-9270

Abstract

Abstract : OBJECTIVES: Functional constipation is a common condition in children. We assessed the effectiveness of combined interferential (IF) electrical stimulation and pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises on functional constipation in children. METHODS: We conducted a single‐center, double‐blind randomized clinical trial study during 2014–2017 in Tehran, Iran. Ninety children, aged 5–13 years, who fulfilled Rome III criteria were enrolled and randomly assigned into two treatment groups. Case group ( n =45) underwent IF electrical stimulation and PFM exercises, whereas the control group ( n =45) received PFM exercises plus sham stimulation. A complete bowel habit diary (with concerning data on the frequency of defecation per week, stool form, and the number of fecal soiling episodes), a constipation score questionnaire, and a visual pain score were recorded before, after the treatment and 6 months later for all participants. In addition, children in both groups were assessed with a constipation‐related quality‐of‐life questionnaire before, after the end of treatment sessions, and 6 months after the treatment. RESULTS: Treatment success was achieved for 88.4% of children in the case group compared with 43.2% of children in the control group after the treatment ( P <0.003). The median constipation score was reduced in both groups, with the cases having significantly lower scores after the treatment (4 vs. 8, P <0.000). Stool form normalized in 75.6% of the cases and 45.5% of the controls after the treatment ( P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that using IF electrical stimulation as an adjuvant therapy to the medical and rehabilitation programs significantly boosts the effects of treatment among these patients.