1.   The only significant difference found between incontinent patients and controls was a reduction in squeeze duration.

2.   At diagnostic anorectal manometry, they showed an isolated alteration of squeeze duration without any impairment of internal anal sphincter function.

3.   Training was associated with normalisation of external anal sphincter phasic contraction and with an increase in squeeze duration in all patients.

4.   As a matter of fact, a clinical benefit was seen even with an occasionally decreased amplitude in external sphincter contraction when improvement in squeeze duration was achieved.

5.   A good response to training was associated with improved squeeze duration in our patients, but increased conidence in mastering anorectal function may also have been of some benefit.