Effect of laser acupuncture on fecal incontinence after anorectal surgery

Background Fecal incontinence (FI) is considered a common complication after anorectal surgeries because of sphincter injury. Application of laser acupuncture (LA) on acupoints is a noninvasive modality that may assist in the treatment of FI and in decreasing the frequency of incontinence. Aim This study investigated the effect of laser stimulation to acupoints on anal pressure during rest and squeeze, and the frequency and consistency of defecation in FI after anorectal surgery. Settings and design This study was carried out as a randomized-controlled trial of 40 patients (17 men and 23 women) diagnosed with moderate FI after anorectal surgery. Patients and methods The ages of the patients ranged from 40 to 70 years. They were assigned randomly to two equal groups: the experimental (LA) group, which received 60 s laser stimulation for acupuncture points plus pelvic floor exercises three sessions per week for 4 weeks, and the control (placebo) group, who received sham LA plus pelvic floor exercises three sessions per week for 4 weeks. Anorectal manometry was used to measure resting anal pressure and squeeze anal pressure. The frequency of FI was measured using the FI severity index. Assessment was carried out before and after 1 month of treatment. Results The results showed that there was a significant increase in resting anal pressure and squeeze anal pressure of the study group compared with that of the control group after treatment ( P > 0.001). Also, there was a significant decrease in the fecal incontinence severity index of the study group after treatment compared with that of the control group ( P >0.001). Conclusion It was concluded that stimulation of laser to acupuncture points for 4 weeks is an effective approach for FI after anorectal surgery.