FASED: Footstool in Alleviating Symptoms of Evacuation Disorder

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a very common problem. The prevalence of this problem is estimated to be about 16 per 100,000 person years. In one study, 52% of patients with delayed gastric emptying and symptoms of nausea and vomiting had an evacuation disorder. In this condition, there is either impaired relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles or weakness of the pelvic floor muscles. This combined usually with impaired ability to sense presence of and quantity of stool and gas in the rectum leads to difficulty evacuating stool and gas. Characteristically, these patients have difficulty emptying stool even when its soft and pasty. Some of them can only feel empty when their stools are watery. However, diarrhea comes with its inherent risks of accidental bowel leakage.

The management of pelvic floor disorders is primarily pelvic floor biofeedback therapy. The purpose is to correct the abnormal physiology to help improve emptying. Additional therapies include use of stimulant suppositories and enemas and use of foot stool. The premise behind use of a foot stool is that is helps relax the pelvic floor muscle. While there are several companies making footstools, there is surprisingly very sparse literature supporting their use.

The purpose of this research study is to investigate whether using a footstool could improve bowel symptoms in patients who experience symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. Participants who are eligible and enroll will complete a 2 week baseline bowel diary followed by an 8 week period during which they will be asked to use a footstool provided to them. They will be randomly assigned either to a 7 or a 9 inch footstool. During this period they will also complete surveys about their bowel symptoms.