Biofeedback is effective treatment for levator ani syndrome

PURPOSE: The effects of biofeedback (BF) on pain relief and anorectal physiology in patients with levator ani syndrome (LAS) were prospectively studied. METHOD: Sixteen consecutive patients (9 men, 7 women; mean age, 50.1 (range, 39-66) years) with LAS were treated with BF from July 1993 to October 1995. Mean duration of pain was 32.5 (standard error of the mean, 6.7) months. All underwent a full course of BF using a manometric balloon technique. Mean follow-up was 12.8 (standard error of the mean, 2.6) months. Pain score and anorectal physiology tests were administered prospectively by an independent observer before and after BF. RESULTS: After BF, the pain score was significantly improved (before BF: median, 8 (range, 6-10); after BF: median, 2 (range, 1-4); P < 0.02). Analgesic requirements were also significantly reduced (all 16 patients needed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) before BF; only two patients needed NSAID after BF; P < 0.03). There were no significant changes to the anorectal physiology parameters after BF. To date, there have been no side effects or regressions. CONCLUSION: Although BF had a negligible effect on anorectal physiologic measurements in LAS, it was effective in pain relief, with no side effects.