Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/807833

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Title
Daily transabdominal electrical stimulation at home increased defecation in children with slow-transit constipation: a pilot study
Author/Creator
Ismail, Khairul A.;  Chase, Janet;  Gibb, Susie;  Clarke, Melanie;  Catto-Smith, Anthony G.;  Robertson, Val J.;  Hutson, John M.;  Southwell, Bridget R.
Institution
The University of Newcastle. Faculty of Health, School of Health Sciences
Description
Purpose: Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) (3 sessions/wk) over the abdomen stimulated bowel functions in a randomized controlled trial. This pilot study assessed whether daily TES at home with a safe, portable machine would be possible and more efficacious than trial results. Methods: Eleven patients (6 male/5 female; mean age, 14 years; range, 12-18 years) with slow-transit constipation who relapsed or responded poorly in the trial were recruited (11 ± 5 months later). An EPM-IF-4160 (Fuji Dynamics, Hong Kong) portable machine (sine waveform, 4 kHz carrier frequency, 80-160 Hz beat frequency, intensity <33 mA) delivering interferential current (2 electrodes over epigastrium + 2 over kidneys) was applied 1 hour daily at home. Continence diaries were kept for 1 month before and 2 months during treatment. Results: All children completed more than 1 month of treatment after baseline recording. Defecation increased in 9 of 11 children, and soiling decreased in 4 of 11 children. There was a significant increase in total episodes of defecation per week (mean ± SD, 2.5 ± 2.1 vs 6.7 ± 4.4; P = .008) and a nonsignificant decrease in soiling (3.8 ± 1.6 vs 1.1 ± 0.5 episodes/wk, P = .1). Daily stimulation does not affect abdominal pain. No adverse events occurred. Conclusions: Daily TES at home is safe and significantly improved bowel function in children who did not respond to 3 times per week of TES. Home TES may be a novel treatment of intractable slow transit constipation, avoiding hospital visits.
Relation
Journal of Pediatric Surgery Vol. 44, Issue 12, p. 2388-2392
Publisher Link
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2009.07.063
Date
2009
Publisher
Elsevier
Keyword(s)
slow transit constipation;  transcutaneous electrical stimulation;  children
Resource Type
journal article
Identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/807833
Identifier
ISSN:0022-3468
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Reviewed
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Subject
"Journal of Pediatric Surgery"
 
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