High-Frequency Repetitive Magnetic Stimulation at the Sacrum Alleviates Chronic Constipation in Parkinson's Patients

This study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of high-frequency repetitive magnetic stimulation (HF-rMS) at the sacrum for chronic constipation in Parkinson's patients (PD).

Eventually 48 PD patients were enrolled from July 2019 to October 2020, and randomly divided into the HF-rMS group (the intervention group, n = 24) and the sham HF-rMS group (the control group, n = 24). The intervention group received HF-rMS at the sacrum, whereas the control group received ineffective magnetic stimulation. We performed clinical evaluation before and after HF-rMS treatment, including constipation score scale (KESS questionnaire), Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III exercise examination), Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) stage of motor function; simple mental status scale (MMSE), anxiety/depression table (HAD-A/HAD-D), the activity of daily living (ADL), and quality of life scale for patients with constipation (PAC-QOL) to evaluate symptoms and satisfaction of PD patients with chronic constipation.

There was no significant difference in the clinical characteristics between the two groups. As compared to the control group, the HF-rMS group displayed a larger change (pre and posttreatment) in the KESS scores of PD patients with chronic constipation, suggesting a significant improvement. Moreover, HF-rMS significantly promoted the mood, activity of daily living, and quality of life of PD patients when comparing the alteration of HAD-A/HAD-D scores, ADL scores, and PAC-QOL scores between the two groups. Finally, there was no significant difference in the change of the UPDRS III score and the MMSE score between the two groups.

HF-rMS at the sacrum can improve chronic constipation in PD patients.