Comparative Efficacy of Transcutaneous Functional Electrical Stimulation With or Without Biofeedback Therapy on Functional Non-retentive Fecal Incontinence in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background We compared the effects of transcutaneous functional electrical stimulation (TFES) and biofeedback therapy with TFES alone in a cohort of children with functional non-retentive fecal incontinence (FNRFI). Methods This prospective, single-center randomized clinical trial was performed on 40 children with FNRFI. Patients were randomly allocated into two equal treatment groups. Group A ( n = 20) underwent TFES + biofeedback therapy, and group B ( n = 20) received TFES alone. All patients were assessed with a pediatric fecal incontinence (FI) score questionnaire, a visual pain score, and a bowel habit diary both before and at the end of treatment sessions and also at 6 months of follow-up. In addition, a FI quality-of-life (QoL) questionnaire was recorded for all patients before and 6 months after the treatment. Results FI significantly improved in 13/20 (65%) patients in group A and 11/20 (55%) patients in group B ( P