Noninvasive electrical neuromodulation for gastrointestinal motility disorders

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Neuromodulation
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Gastrointestinal motility disorders are common and lack effective treatments.
• Noninvasive electrical neuromodulation is an emerging therapeutic approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review emerging noninvasive neuromodulation methods for gastrointestinal motility disorders.
• To discuss their clinical applications in common GI conditions.

Main Methods:

• Literature search of the PubMed database (1995-June 2023) for relevant English articles.
• Review of various noninvasive neuromodulation techniques.

Main Results:

• Noninvasive neuromodulation techniques include auricular vagal nerve stimulation, cervical vagal nerve stimulation, electrical acustimulation, interference stimulation, tibial nerve stimulation, and translumbosacral therapy.
• These methods are applied to gastroesophageal reflux disease, functional dyspepsia, gastroparesis, functional constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and fecal incontinence.

Conclusions:

• Noninvasive neuromodulation is effective and safe for improving GI symptoms and dysmotility.
• It serves as an alternative when pharmacotherapy is ineffective.
• Future research should focus on refining methods, improving devices, and understanding mechanisms.