1. The Role of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training on Low Anterior Resection Syndrome
- Author
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Anne, Asnong, André, D'Hoore, Marijke, Van Kampen, Albert, Wolthuis, Yves, Van Molhem, Bart, Van Geluwe, Nele, Devoogdt, An, De Groef, Ipek, Guler Caamano Fajardo, Inge, Geraerts, Asnong, Anne, D'Hoore, Andre, Van Kampen, Marijke, Wolthuis, Albert, Van Molhem, Yves, Van Geluwe, Bart, Devoogdt, Nele, De Groef, An, Fajardo, Ipek Guler Caamano, and GULER CAAMANO FAJARDO, Ipek
- Subjects
REHABILITATION ,SURGERY ,EXERCISE ,VALIDATION ,COLORECTAL-CANCER ,Postoperative Complications ,QUALITY-OF-LIFE ,FECAL INCONTINENCE ,Humans ,Single-Blind Method ,Prospective Studies ,rectal cancer ,Science & Technology ,Rectal Neoplasms ,pelvic floor muscle training ,Pelvic Floor ,Syndrome ,Exercise Therapy ,Rectal Diseases ,Treatment Outcome ,low anterior resection syndrome ,randomized controlled trial ,Quality of Life ,bowel symptoms ,Surgery ,Human medicine ,BIOFEEDBACK THERAPY ,Life Sciences & Biomedicine - Abstract
Background and Objective: Total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer (RC) often results in significant bowel symptoms, commonly known as low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). Although pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is recommended in noncancer populations for treating bowel symptoms, this has been scarcely investigated in RC patients. The objective was to investigate PFMT effectiveness on LARS in patients after TME for RC. Methods: A multicenter, single-blind prospective randomized controlled trial comparing PFMT (intervention; n=50) versus no PFMT (control; n=54) 1 month following TME/stoma closure was performed. The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants with an improvement in the LARS category at 4 months. Secondary outcomes were: continuous LARS scores, ColoRectal Functioning Outcome scores, Numeric Rating Scale scores, stool diary items, and Short Form 12 scores; all assessed at 1, 4, 6, and 12 months. Results: The proportion of participants with an improvement in LARS category was statistically higher after PFMT compared with controls at 4 months (38.3% vs 19.6%; P=0.0415) and 6 months (47.8% vs 21.3%; P=0.0091), but no longer at 12 months (40.0% vs 34.9%; P=0.3897). Following secondary outcomes were significantly lower at 4 months: LARS scores (continuous, P=0.0496), ColoRectal Functioning Outcome scores (P=0.0369) and frequency of bowel movements (P=0.0277), solid stool leakage (day, P=0.0241; night, P=0.0496) and the number of clusters (P=0.0369), derived from the stool diary. No significant differences were found for the Numeric Rating Scale/quality of life scores. Conclusions: PFMT for bowel symptoms after TME resulted in lower proportions and faster recovery of bowel symptoms up to 6 months after surgery/stoma closure, justifying PFMT as an early, first-line treatment option for bowel symptoms after RC. The authors are grateful to the trial participants and thank all participating centers and collaborating physiotherapists (MW, LDW, LV, RVH) of this trial for their contributions. They also thank Kim Sterckx, Hilde Lemkens, and Lynn Debrun especially, for all of their contributions.
- Published
- 2022
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