Objective: This study was designed to investigate the effect of the rectal electrical stimulation in patients with neurogenic bowel due to SCI.
Method: Twelve patients with SCI who have the symptoms of neurogenic bowel were recruited as subjects. Before and after electrical stimulation, anorectal angle and anal pressure was measured.
Results: 1. There was a reverse correlation between pre- electrical stimulation anorectal angle and colon transit time in rectosigmoid segment (p＜0.05). 2. Anal pressure of postelectrical stimulation was significantly decreased compared with that of pre-electrical stimulation (p＜0.05). 3. Anorectal angle of post-electrical stimulation was significantly increased compared with that of pre-electrical stimulation (p＜0.05).
Conclusion: This study suggested that rectal electrical stimulation for neurogenic bowel in patients with SCI could be helpful defecation method for bowel emptying. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2002; 26: 526-532)
