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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
Assessment of Neuromuscular Function Using Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Published on: September 13, 2015
Posterior tibial nerve electrical stimulation in chronic constipation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Mahdieh Hamedfar1, Fariba Ghaderi2, Hanieh Salehi Pourmehr3
1Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Aim:
A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to investigate posterior tibial nerve electrical stimulation application methods in patients with chronic constipation.
Background:
Posterior tibial nerve electrical stimulation is a management procedure for chronic constipation.
Methods:
A comprehensive search was conducted on Ovid, PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library based on the PICO formation of the study. All randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies in which patients with chronic constipation were treated with transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) or percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) were included in this study. Two independent reviewers screened all titles, abstracts, and full texts. The selected studies' quality was assessed critically using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. The data synthesis was conducted using Review Manager Software.
Results:
Out of 1016 records, 11 studies were included in this study. The results showed that TTNS was effective in improving constipation symptoms (SMD: -1.52, CI 95%: -2.81 to -0.22, p< 0.0001) and reducing defecation time of patients with chronic constipation (SMD: -0.86, CI 95%: -1.60 to -0.13, p= 0.17). Additionally, PTNS was found to improve the quality of life of these patients (SMD: -1.32, CI 95%: -2.05 to -0.59, p< 0.00001).
Conclusion:
Both TTNS and PTNS can be effective interventions for chronic constipation. To suggest a definitive and standard treatment plan, further research is needed to determine optimal parameters for TTNS and PTNS applications.
