Transabdominal electrical stimulation increases colonic propagating pressure waves in paediatric slow transit...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Neurogastroenterology
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Slow-transit constipation (STC) is characterized by reduced colonic motor activity.
• Pancolonic manometry in STC patients reveals diminished antegrade propagating sequences (PS) and lack of response to stimuli.
• Current treatment options for STC in children can be limited, especially for refractory cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical stimulation using interferential current (IFC) in enhancing colonic PS in children with STC.
• To assess the impact of IFC on the frequency and characteristics of colonic motor activity.

Main Methods:

• Eight children (8-18 years) with confirmed STC underwent 24-hour colonic manometry.
• Interferential current (IFC) stimulation was administered over 12 sessions (20 min, 3x/week) using abdominal and paraspinal electrodes.
• Colonic manometry was repeated at 2 and 7 months post-IFC treatment.

Main Results:

• IFC significantly increased the overall frequency of PS per 24 hours (pre: 78 ± 34 vs. post: 210 ± 62, p=0.008).
• Antegrade PS and high-amplitude PS (HAPS) frequencies also showed significant increases post-IFC.
• No significant changes were observed in the amplitude, velocity, or propagating distance of PS.

Conclusions:

• Transcutaneous IFC stimulation effectively increases colonic PS frequency in children with STC.
• The observed benefits of IFC persisted for up to 7 months in the study cohort.
• IFC presents a potential therapeutic option for children suffering from treatment-resistant STC.