A recent pilot study in the Journal of Women's & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy found that hybrid telehealth physical therapy (HTPT) focused on respiratory muscle strengthening effectively addressed chronic constipation symptoms—without requiring internal interventions.
What the Research Shows
Researchers at the University of Miami compared 21 participants receiving HTPT with 35 receiving traditional in-person PT. The telehealth program delivered diaphragmatic breathing and respiratory muscle training over eight weeks.
Key findings:
• HTPT significantly improved constipation symptoms measured by the PAC-SYM scale.
• In-person PT with internal interventions showed no significant advantage over the telehealth approach.
• Training focused on breath coordination during defecation and respiratory performance measures.
💡 What This Means for Clinical Care
This study shows that non-invasive telehealth interventions focusing on respiratory training may be as effective as traditional in-person treatments for chronic constipation.• Expiratory muscle strength appears particularly relevant to functional defecation disorders.
• Telehealth delivery removes barriers to care for patients facing geographic, mobility, or scheduling challenges.
• Offers an effective alternative for patients hesitant about internal interventions.
A Paradigm Shift in Treatment Options
These results support integrating respiratory muscle training into treatment plans for chronic constipation. The authors recommend further research into expiratory pressure-targeted interventions. For clinicians, this reinforces that effective pelvic health care doesn't always require internal work—sometimes, teaching patients how to breathe properly can create meaningful change.
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