Relaxation biofeedback conditioning as treatment of a disturbed defecation reflex

The case history is presented of a patient with a disturbed defecation reflex by viral encephalopolyradiculoneuritis. The inability to defecate was thought to be due to hyper-reflexibility and, hence to increased spasm of the external anal sphincter. Normal defecation was eventually brought about by an operant learning technique, as described originally by Haskell and Rovner. The patient was conditioned to relax his external anal sphincter once he felt rectal fullness and the urge to defecate. Defecation was initiated by a Dulcolax suppository.