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A comparative study of transcutaneous interferential electrical stimulation plus behavioral therapy and behavioral
Seyedeh-Sanam Ladi-Seyedian1, Lida Sharifi-Rad2, Navid Manouchehri3
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Center Excellence, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (IRI); Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran (IRI).
Insights
Transcutaneous interferential electrical stimulation effectively improved constipation in children after Hirschsprung
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Neuromodulation
Background:
- Hirschsprung's disease (HD) often leads to persistent constipation in children post-surgery.
- Managing constipation in these patients requires effective therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of transcutaneous interferential (IF) electrical stimulation as an adjunct therapy for constipation in postoperative HD patients.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 30 HD children with constipation.
- Interferential electrical stimulation combined with behavioral therapy versus behavioral therapy alone.
- Assessment included anorectal manometry, bowel diaries, constipation scores, and pain scores pre- and post-treatment.
Main Results:
- 66% of patients receiving IF stimulation showed improved constipation symptoms compared to 26.6% in the control group at 6 months (P<0.03).
- The IF group experienced a significant increase in defecation frequency (P<0.009) and a decrease in pain scores (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
- Transcutaneous interferential electrical stimulation is a beneficial addition to behavioral therapy for managing constipation in postoperative HD patients.
- IF stimulation offers a promising non-invasive approach to improve bowel function and reduce pain.
Purpose:
We assessed the effectiveness of transcutaneous interferential (IF) electrical stimulation on constipation in postoperative Hirschsprung's disease (HD) patients.
Methods:
Thirty HD children (18 boys and 12 girls) with constipation who had no surgical complication were enrolled and then randomly divided into two treatment groups. The control group underwent only behavioral therapy comprising high fiber diet, hydration, toilet training and pelvic floor muscles exercises while; the IF group underwent behavioral therapy plus IF electrical stimulation. Patients underwent anorectal manometry before and 6months after the treatment. In addition, a complete bowel diary with data on the frequency of defecation per week, stool form and the number of fecal soiling episodes, a constipation score and a visual pain score were obtained from all patients before, after treatment and 6months later.
Results:
Constipation symptoms were improved in 10 (66%) and 4 (26.6%) patients in IF and control groups, respectively at 6months of follow up (P<0.03). Frequency of defecation per week significantly increased after the treatment in the IF group compared with control group at the 6months of follow up (5.4±2.1 vs. 3.3±1.8 per week, respectively; P<0.009). In addition, mean pain score was significantly decreased in IF group compared with controls after treatment (P<0.05).
Conclusion:
IF electrical stimulation is an effective adjunct to behavioral therapy to overcome symptoms of constipation in postoperative HD patients.
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