Kegel Exercises With or Without Biofeedback for Bowel Problems After Rectal Cancer Surgery
Compares Kegel exercises with or without biofeedback in people after rectal cancer surgery.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: The Effects of Kegel Exercise Combined With Biofeedback Therapy on Bowel Function Recovery, Emotional Distress, and Quality of Life in Patients Following Low Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer
Key facts
- Where
- Taipei, TaiwanSee the site
Where in Taiwan
- National Taiwan University HospitalTaipei, TaiwanNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- National Taiwan University Hospital
- Trial code
- NCT07253298
- Record updated
- 10 November 2026
- Original description
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of combining Kegel exercise with a single biofeedback session on bowel function, emotional distress, and quality of life in patients who have undergone low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer. Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is a common postoperative complication following LAR, characterized by increased stool frequency, urgency, and incontinence, which can significantly impair patients' psychological well-being and daily quality of life. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) Kegel exercise combined with one non-invasive biofeedback session, or (2) Kegel exercise alone. Both groups will perform home-based Kegel exercises for eight weeks. The study aims to determine whether the combined biofeedback and Kegel exercise intervention results in greater improvements in bowel control, emotional well-being, and quality of life compared with Kegel exercise alone.Read full original descriptionShow less
Effects of Kegel Exercise Combined With a Single Biofeedback Intervention on Bowel Function, Emotional Distress, and Quality of Life in Patients After Rectal Cancer Surgery
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of combining Kegel exercise with a single biofeedback session on bowel function, emotional distress, and quality of life in patients who have undergone low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer. Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is a common postoperative complication following LAR, characterized by increased stool frequency, urgency, and incontinence, which can significantly impair patients' psychological well-being and daily quality of life. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) Kegel exercise combined with one non-invasive biofeedback session, or (2) Kegel exercise alone. Both groups will perform home-based Kegel exercises for eight weeks. The study aims to determine whether the combined biofeedback and Kegel exercise intervention results in greater improvements in bowel control, emotional well-being, and quality of life compared with Kegel exercise alone.
Inclusion: Patients who have undergone their first low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer, or LAR with temporary stoma reversal at least 4 weeks prior to enrollment; Age ≥ 18 years; Hemodynamically stable with stable vital signs; Conscious, able to communicate in Mandarin or Taiwanese, and capable of following verbal instructions to perform exercises.
Exclusion: Scheduled to receive postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy; Implanted cardiac pacemaker; History of psychiatric disorders (e.g., depression); Postoperative complications such as anastomotic leakage, intra-abdominal infection, or fistula formation; Presence of a current intestinal stoma; Unable to cooperate with or complete biofeedback training.