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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Journal of Coloproctology 2022; 42(01): 077-084
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1742621
Review Article

Physiotherapeutic Approaches to Treat Anal Incontinence in Women after Obstetric Trauma

Mayanna Machado Freitas 
1   Evidence-Based Physiotherapy Research Group, Universidade Católica de Pernambuco (UNICAP), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
,
Lara Elma Franco Moura 
1   Evidence-Based Physiotherapy Research Group, Universidade Católica de Pernambuco (UNICAP), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
,
Denise Saquetto 
1   Evidence-Based Physiotherapy Research Group, Universidade Católica de Pernambuco (UNICAP), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
2   Centro Universitário Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil
,
Iane Castro Rodrigues 
1   Evidence-Based Physiotherapy Research Group, Universidade Católica de Pernambuco (UNICAP), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
,
Valéria Conceição Passos de Carvalho 
1   Evidence-Based Physiotherapy Research Group, Universidade Católica de Pernambuco (UNICAP), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
3   Universidade Católica de Pernambuco (UNICAP), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
,
Silvana Maria Macedo Uchôa 
1   Evidence-Based Physiotherapy Research Group, Universidade Católica de Pernambuco (UNICAP), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
3   Universidade Católica de Pernambuco (UNICAP), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
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Abstract

Introduction Anal incontinence is defined as the loss of voluntary control of fecal matter or gases with a recurrence period longer than 3 months in individuals aged ≥ 4 years; it has a female predominance. Among the treatment modalities is pelvic physiotherapy, the second line of treatment, which promotes the reeducation, coordination, and strengthening of the muscles of the pelvic floor to enable patients to return to their regular activities of daily living.

Objective To perform a systematic review on the physiotherapeutic treatments used in women between the ages of 18 and 65 years with a diagnosis of anal incontinence.

Material and methods Clinical studies written in Portuguese, Spanish and English were searched on the the following databases: Science Direct, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (Medline) via PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and Scopus.

Results Of the 998 articles found, only 4 studies met the inclusion criteria of the present systematic review. The physiotherapeutic approaches to treat women with anal incontinence are biofeedback, Kegel exercises, electrostimulation, and training of the pelvic floor muscles. The average score on the PEDro scale was of 6.25, which indicates that the methodological quality was good.

Conclusion Although pelvic physiotherapy is effective to treat anal incontinence, it must be promoted through the performance of evidence-based scientific research.

Keywords

fecal incontinence - rehabilitation - physiotherapy modalities


Publication History

Received: 23 May 2021

Accepted: 06 August 2021

Article published online:
14 February 2022

© 2022. Sociedade Brasileira de Coloproctologia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commecial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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