Authors (including presenting author) :
See KH(1), Hui WH (1), Siu HK (1), Yeung KC (1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Physiotherapy, Prince of Wales Hospital
Introduction :
Paediatric Fecal Incontinence (FI) impacts children in psychological and social aspects. Functional FI, with unknown pathophysiology, contributed to the largest population of FI. Extracorporeal Magnetic Therapy (EMT) helps with incontinence and quality of life of the patients who are suffering from paediatric urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence in the adult population. Moreover, the use of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) is found to be helpful in improving pelvic floor (PF) muscle strength and activation while not causing fatigue, quality of life and regaining continence in the adult population. However, the combined effect of EMT and WBV on paediatric fecal incontinence still remains unclear.
Objectives :
To investigate the potential effect of physiotherapy treatments in children with FI including EMT, WBV, abdominal massages, functional PF muscles and toileting advice.
Methodology :
A longitudinal single-subject design was employed. Subject is a seven-year-old child diagnosed with functional FI with frequent soiling of 3 times per week for two years and not responsive with laxatives. A 9-week PF rehabilitation with combination of functional PF exercises, EMT, WBV, toilet training with proper posture, abdominal massage and continence diary treatments was given and educated. Outcome measures were :(1) The distance lift up between the initial and endpoint of PF midpoint by dynamic ultrasonography , (2) Soiling frequency.
Result & Outcome :
After 9-week of PF rehabilitation, the PF lift up in dynamic ultrasound assessment was improved from 0.25cm to 1.37cm and the parents reported no soiling for 3 weeks since last visit. Conclusion The present case is novel, combining EMT, WBV, conventional physiotherapy PF exercise and education shows promising results in improving the PF muscle control and FI in a seven-year-old child. Further study is planned to investigate the potential superiority of the combined effect.
