Efficacy of Including Interferential Current Therapy in the Rehabilitation Program of Children with Functional Constipation

Abstract
Aim: To determine the effectiveness of addition of inter-ferential current (IF) stimulatory current to the other conven-tional therapeutic tools related to childhood functional con-stipation (FC).
Methods: Children suffering from FC were recognized according to Rome-III criteria of constipation. Two treatment groups, the case group (n=40) underwent IF electrical stimu-lation added to pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises and the control group (n=40) received PFM exercises without IF stimulation. A full bowel history with regarding data on defecation frequency/week, form of stool, and the number of fecal soiling episodes/day), a constipation score questionnaire, a visual pain score, a constipation related quality of life questionnaire (QOL) were noted before, after the treatment sessions and 6 months later for all participants.
Results: The median of constipation score was decreased in both groups with the cases having lower scores after the treatment (p<0.089 and p<0.0001 respectively). Significantly a better outcome for pain score (p<0.0001) was also observed among the cases after the 6 months follow-up. Fecal soiling episodes/day were reduced after treatment in both groups; this finding was significant in the case group in relation to controls. The constipation-related QOL score has significantly improved all participants.
Conclusion: IF stimulatory current was associated with better results in the efficacy of treatment of chronic cases suffering from FC and it should be added to conventional therapy as a part of the rehabilitation program.