Transcutaneous electrical acustimulation improves symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, study finds

China: A new study published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology found that by quickening colon transit and decreasing rectal feeling, transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) reduces constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. 

Slow colon transit and visceral hypersensitivity are recognized as significant pathophysiological factors in irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). However, there are few treatments that address both colonic motility and abdominal discomfort. In order to learn more about the long-term effects and potential processes of transcutaneous electrical acustimulation in patients with IBS-C, Zhihui Huang and colleagues created this study.

52 IBS-C patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: 26 received daily TEA for 4 weeks, and 26 received daily sham-TEA for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, various parameters were assessed, including the number of complete spontaneous bowel movements per week (CSBMs/week, primary outcome), Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life, Irritable Bowel Syndrome Severity Scoring System, colonic transit time, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, and anorectal physiology. Radiopaque markers were used to evaluate colonic transit. Electrocardiograms were taken in order to evaluate autonomic processes.

The key findings of this study were:

1. TEA reduced abdominal pain and constipation. Following the treatment, the TEA group experienced more CSBMs per week during the previous week than the sham-TEA group.

2. The pain score on the visual analogue scale and the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Severity Scoring System both showed similar results.

3. Additionally, the quality of life for people with constipation significantly improved.

4. In the TEA group, the overall Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life score was much lower.

5. TEA enhanced colon transit and raised the threshold of rectal feeling in comparison to sham-TEA.

6. When compared to sham-TEA, TEA increased vagal activity; at the conclusion of the therapy, the vagal activity was substantially connected with colon transit and the number of CSBMs/week.

In conclusion, in individuals with IBS-C, TEA at ST36 and PC6 with a particular combination of parameters reduces constipation and stomach discomfort, and the clinical impact can be partially sustained when the medication is stopped. The integrative effects of TEA on intestinal motility and rectal sensation, which are mediated via the autonomic system, may be responsible for the improvement in IBS-C symptoms.

Reference: 

Huang, Z., Lin, Z., Lin, C., Chu, H., Zheng, X., Chen, B., Du, L., Chen, J. D. Z., & Dai, N. (2022). Transcutaneous Electrical Acustimulation Improves Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Constipation by Accelerating Colon Transit and Reducing Rectal Sensation Using Autonomic Mechanisms. In American Journal of Gastroenterology (Vol. 117, Issue 9, pp. 1491–1501). https://doi.org/10.14309/ajg.0000000000001882