Key result
Electrical nerve stimulation may reduce abdominal or pelvic pain and GERD symptoms by targeting sensation.
Why the study?
Can electrical nerve stimulation of the gut reduce symptoms of functional visceral pain?
Can electrical nerve stimulation of the gut reduce symptoms of functional visceral pain?
This review highlights the potential of electrical neuromodulation techniques to alleviate functional visceral pain and GERD symptoms.
May warrant consideration for refractory visceral pain; leaves open confirmation of efficacy in prospective RCTs.
Several studies have documented correction of dysmotility in several regions of the gastrointestinal tract based on electrical stimulation of extrinsic nerves supplying those regions. In this issue of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, Ma et al. (2023) document the effect of transcutaneous neuromodulation applied by acustimulation at ST36 for ineffective esophageal motility in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. In addition to motor effects, there were also significant effects on GERD symptoms, raising the question whether extrinsic electrical nerve stimulation of the gut can reduce symptoms through effects that target sensation. This brief review summarizes evidence regarding the application of electrical acustimulation, transauricular electrical stimulation, and sacral electrical or magnetic stimulation to reduce abdominal or pelvic pain.
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Michael Camilleri (2022) conducted a review in Functional visceral pain and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Electrical nerve stimulation (acustimulation, transauricular, and sacral electrical or magnetic stimulation) was evaluated on Reduction of abdominal or pelvic pain and GERD symptoms. Electrical nerve stimulation, including acustimulation and sacral stimulation, may reduce abdominal or pelvic pain and GERD symptoms by targeting sensation.
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