Electrical stimulation helps treat chronic constipation in females: Clinical trial

Managing chronic constipation is challenging as patients frequently remain dissatisfied with laxative treatments. Chronic constipation affects about 15% of the population with significant morbidity and reduced quality of life in addition to its direct and indirect economic impact.

Novel studies using transabdominal electrical interferential therapy in children have shown benefit but there are inadequate adult studies.

Researchers have found that electrical stimulation benefited women with constipation in a recent clinical trial. The clinical trial has been published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.

The researchers examine the effects of transabdominal interferential stimulation on bowel symptoms and quality of life in women with refractory constipation.

In the trial, 33 women with constipation that had not improved with standard treatment received either real or sham electrical stimulation on the stomach and back for 1 hour each day for 6 weeks. The women did not know whether they were receiving real or sham treatment. Treatment was successful in 53% of the women in the first group but only 12% in the second. Furthermore, the improvement in symptoms lasted for at least 3 months after the treatment ended, and there were no reported side effects.