Evacuation effect of bifidus bacillus BB536 in patients with intractable neuromuscular disease

We examined whether improvement of constipation occurred following the use of bifidus bacillus BB536 for patients with neuromuscular disorders and constipation. Bifidus bacillus BB536 was given to 20 patients after a meal, and evacuation state was evaluated. No difference was found in mean stool frequency or mean intestinal peristalsis sound before and after bifidus bacillus BB536 administration. The number of enemas decreased in 11 patients, did not change in six patients, and increased in three patients. Intestinal peristalsis sound was attenuated in five patients, unchanged in four patients, and enhanced in 11 patients. The stool frequency decreased in ten patients, was unchanged in three patients, and increased in seven patients. These results suggest that bifidus bacillus BB536 has some effect on improving evacuation.