Transcutaneous Neuromodulation at Posterior Tibial Nerve and ST36 for Chronic Constipation

Overview

Journal Evid Based Complement Alternat Med

Specialty Rehabilitation Medicine

Date 2014 Nov 29

PMID 25431612

Citations 20

Authors

Nina Zhang

Zhihui Huang

Feng Xu

Yuemei Xu

Jianfeng Chen

Jieyun Yin

Lin Lin

Jiande D Z Chen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The aims of this study were to investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of transcutaneous neuromodulation (TN) in patients with chronic constipation. Twelve patients were recruited. The treatment consisted of 2-week TN and 2-week sham-TN which was performed in a crossover design. Bowel habit diary, Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptom (PAC-SYM), Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL), and anorectal motility were evaluated. Electrocardiogram was recorded for the assessment of autonomic function during acute TN therapy. It was found that (1) TN improved the frequency of spontaneous defecation. After 2-week TN therapy, 83% patients had more than 3 times bowel movements per week which was significantly different from sham-TN (P = 0.01). (2) TN improved PAC-SYM and PAC-QOL scores (P < 0.001, resp.). (3) TN significantly decreased the threshold volume to elicit RAIR (P < 0.05), ameliorated rectal sensory threshold (P = 0.04), and maximum tolerance (P = 0.04). (4) TN, but not sham-TN, increased the vagal activity (P = 0.01 versus baseline) and decreased the sympathetic activity (P = 0.01, versus baseline). It was concluded that needleless TN at posterior tibial nerve and ST36 using a watch-size stimulator is effective in chronic constipation, and the effect was possibly mediated via the autonomic mechanism.

Citing Articles

Posterior tibial nerve electrical stimulation in chronic constipation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

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Transcutaneous Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation: An Adjuvant Treatment for Intractable Constipation in Children.

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