[Research progress of colonic electrical stimulation in the treatment of chronic constipation]

Chronic constipation refers to a reduction in the frequency of bowel movements and difficulty in defecation lasting for more than 6 months, with a comprehensive incidence rate of 15% in the population. Chronic constipation is a significant health concern that greatly affects the quality of life of patients and results in substantial healthcare resource consumption. Current common treatment strategies include lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapy, biofeedback therapy, enemas, and surgical procedures, but the effectiveness of these approaches remains limited. Colonic electrical stimulation therapy is a newly proposed treatment strategy in recent years, which involves the application of external electrical current to correct abnormal physiological activities related to defecation. This article provides an overview of the mechanisms, efficacy, and factors influencing the use of colonic electrical stimulation in the treatment of chronic constipation, as well as a summary of the advantages of colonic electrical stimulation and possible challenges for future development.