The existing methods of faecal incontinence management have met with mixed success. Recently, there has been increased interest in pelvic floor contraction and electrostimulation of the pelvic floor muscles. Thispaper presents a case study of a 10-year old girl with a diagnosis of faecal incontinence secondary to sexual assault. Before tlze commencement  of  treatment,  the  strength  of  the pelvic floor muscles was assessed using a pelvic floor muscle grading system. The severity and frequency of incontinence, as well as the subjects 's attitude to  incontinence were also assessed with the aid of a questionnaire. The assessment was followed by six weeks of physiotherapy treatment with pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercises, faradic electro­ stimulation and behavioural training. Thefrequency of treatment was twice a  week for six weeks (12 sessions). The outcome of the treatment revealed no remarkable improvement for the first and second weeks of treatment. At the third week of treatment, however, an increase in the pelvic floor muscle strength from 215 to 315 was observed, the severity of incontinence was reduced from 'soiling the outer clothing' to 'soiling the undenvear '. The time between meal and defecation also increased from 2 minutes to 20 minutes. By the end of the 4'" week, the frequency of incontinence was further reduced. By then,    the    subject    no    longer  perceived     the incontinence as a major problem but  as a minor inconvenience, since she could now hold on for 60 minutes after eating before defecating. The outcome of this study has demonstrated the efficacy of pelvic floor exercises, faradic electro­ stimulation and behavioural training as an effective method of treatment for faecal incontinence.

 

Key words: incontinence, exercise, electro­ scimulacion, behavioural training