Effects of bilateral transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation on constipation severity in geriatric patients: A prospective clinical study

Abstract

Constipation is the most common digestive complaint in the general population, and one of the most frequently encountered health problems in the geriatric population. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether bilateral transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation affects constipation severity in geriatric patients with refractory chronic constipation. Bilateral transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation was carried out three times per week for 30 min in geriatric patients aged >65 years with less than three defecations per week. The patients were evaluated, and constipation severity was compared before the treatment, at the end of the 6-week treatment and 12 weeks after the end of the treatment. Assessment carried out using the Constipation Severity Instrument showed that the scores for subscales; that is, obstructive defecation, colonic inertia and pain, improved significantly by the end of the treatment compared with the scores obtained before the treatment. Furthermore, the improvement in pain continued for 12 weeks after the treatment, and although there was a slight decrease in the scores for the other subscales, they significantly improved compared with the scores obtained before the treatment. During the 12-week follow-up period, bilateral transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation significantly improved constipation severity in geriatric patients with refractory chronic constipation. We believe that this easy-to-use and low-cost method can be applied to eligible geriatric patients who cannot be treated through dietary adjustments and/or medical interventions. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 101-105.