Biofeedback combined with magnetic-electric stimulation in the treatment of fecal obstruction symptoms caused by spastic pelvic floor syndrome

YUAN Zefeng; TIAN Gaoyuan; HUANG Zhiwei; CAO Yuting; KONG Bin

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2025.15.012

Abstract：Objective To investigate the effects of integrating pelvic floor magnetic stimulation and medium-frequency pulsed electrotherapy with biofeedback on alleviating obstructed defecation symptoms in patients diagnosed with pelvic floor spasm syndrome.Methods A total of 133 patients diagnosed with pelvic floor spasm syndrome at the Gastrointestinal Surgery Outpatient and Inpatient Departments of the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University between January 2017 and January 2025 were enrolled in this study.All patients underwent two sessions of conventional biofeedback therapy.According to the additional treatments they received,the patients were catego-rized into four groups:the Control group(received biofeedback therapy only);the Magnetic Stimulation group(received two additional sessions of pelvic floor magnetic stimulation);the Electrical Stimulation group(received two additional sessions of medium-frequency pulse electrical therapy);and the Magnetic-Electric Combined group(received two additional sessions of both pelvic floor magnetic stimulation and medium-frequency pulse electrical therapy).The improvement in obstructed defecation symptoms was evaluated before treatment,after treatment,and at the 3-month follow-up across all four groups.Results A total of 133 patients diagnosed with pelvic floor spasm syndrome were enrolled in this study.After a 3-month follow-up period,8 patients were lost to follow-up(6.0%).Consequently,125 patients completed the follow-up and were included in the final analysis.These patients were distributed across four groups:the control group(n=32),the magnetic stimulation group(n=30),the electrical stimulation group(n=31),and the combined magneto-electric stimulation group(n=32).Compared with biofeedback therapy alone,combination therapy led to a greater reduction in the need for manual assistance during defecation,the sensation of incomplete evacuation,and the requirement for straining during defecation,with the most pronounced improvements observed in the combined magneto-electric stimulation group.Conclusions The integration of biofeedback,pelvic floor magnetic stimulation,and medium-frequency pulse electrotherapy can significantly alleviate symptoms including straining during defecation,the sensation of incomplete bowel evacua-tion,and reduce the need for manual assistance.Moreover,this combined approach contributes to the stabilization and maintenance of therapeutic effects in the short term.