Transcutaneous Electroacupuncture Research Articles

Classification of the Central Effects of Transcutaneous Electroacupuncture Stimulation (TEAS) at Different Frequencies: A Deep Learning Approach Using Wavelet Packet Decomposition with an Entropy Estimator

The field of signal processing using machine and deep learning algorithms has undergone significant growth in the last few years, with a wide scope of practical applications for electroencephalography (EEG). Transcutaneous electroacupuncture stimulation (TEAS) is a well-established variant of the traditional method of acupuncture that is also receiving increasing research attention. This paper presents the results of using deep learning algorithms on EEG data to investigate the effects on the brain of different frequencies of TEAS when applied to the hands in 66 participants, before, during and immediately after 20 min of stimulation. Wavelet packet decomposition (WPD) and a hybrid Convolutional Neural Network Long Short-Term Memory (CNN-LSTM) model were used to examine the central effects of this peripheral stimulation. The classification results were analysed using confusion matrices, with kappa as a metric. Contrary to expectation, the greatest differences in EEG from baseline occurred during TEAS at 80 pulses per second (pps) or in the ‘sham’ (160 pps, zero amplitude), while the smallest differences occurred during 2.5 or 10 pps stimulation (mean kappa 0.414). The mean and CV for kappa were considerably higher for the CNN-LSTM than for the Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network (MLP-NN) model. As far as we are aware, from the published literature, no prior artificial intelligence (AI) research appears to have been conducted into the effects on EEG of different frequencies of electroacupuncture-type stimulation (whether EA or TEAS). This ground-breaking study thus offers a significant contribution to the literature. However, as with all (unsupervised) DL methods, a particular challenge is that the results are not easy to interpret, due to the complexity of the algorithms and the lack of a clear understanding of the underlying mechanisms. There is therefore scope for further research that explores the effects of the frequency of TEAS on EEG using AI methods, with the most obvious place to start being a hybrid CNN-LSTM model. This would allow for better extraction of information to understand the central effects of peripheral stimulation.

The Effectiveness of Traditional Korean Medicine for Treating Postoperative Ileus in Gastric Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives: Postoperative ileus (POI) is a common impairment of gastrointestinal motility and causes a delay in postoperative recovery, as well as an increased length of hospital stay, but no single strategy has a significant recuperative effect on POI. Studies of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) have reported improvements in bowel function after surgery. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of TKM on postoperative ileus in gastric cancer patients.Methods: We used six databases to search for studies published from January 1, 2007, until May 11, 2022. The included studies were those reporting gastric cancer patients who received TKM treatment after gastrectomy through indicators related to POI.Results: The search identified 27 RCTs that used herbal medicine (Daegeonjung-tang and Gami-leejoongtang), herbal medicine combined with acupuncture (Sama-tang, Gumiseunggi-tang, Daeseunggi-tang, and Insam-tang), acupuncture, acupuncture and moxibustion, electroacupuncture, warm needling, transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA), low-frequency electrical acupoint stimulation (LEAS), moxibustion, auricular acupressure, and ST-36 acupoint injection with neostigmine as treatments for POI. The time to first flatus was shortened by herbal medicine combined with warm needling (Sama-tang, Gumiseunggi-tang, Daeseunggi-tang, and Insam-tang), acupuncture, electroacupuncture, warm needling, TEA, moxibustion, auricular acupressure, and ST-36 acupoint injection with neostigmine (p<0.00001). The time to the first defecation decreased significantly in response to the herbal medicine combined with warm needling (Sama-tang, Gumiseunggi-tang, Daeseunggi-tang, and Insam-tang), acupuncture, electroacupuncture, warm needling, TEA, moxibustion, auricular acupressure, and ST-36 acupoint injection with neostigmine (p<0.00001). No serious adverse events occurred.Conclusions: TKM could be a promising option for preventing and resolving POI in gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy.

Efficacy and safety of long-term transcutaneous electroacupuncture versus sham transcutaneous electroacupuncture for delayed gastric emptying after distal gastrectomy: study protocol for a randomized, patient-assessor blinded, controlled trial

BackgroundDelayed gastric emptying (DGE) after distal gastrectomy impacts patients’ nutritional status and quality of life. The current treatments of DGE seem unsatisfactory or need invasive interventions. It is unknown whether transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA) is effective in treating DGE.MethodsA total of 90 eligible participants who underwent distal gastrectomy will be randomly allocated to either the TEA group (n = 60) or the sham transcutaneous electroacupuncture (sham-TEA) group (n = 30). Each participant will receive TEA on the bilateral acupoints of Zusanli (ST36) and Neiguan (PC6) for 4 weeks. The primary outcomes will be the residual rates of radioactivity in the stomach by gastric scintigraphy and total response rates. The secondary outcomes will be endoscopic features, autonomic function, nutritional and psychological status, serum examination, and quality of life (QoL). The adverse events will also be reported. The patients will be followed up 1 year after the treatment.DiscussionThe findings of this randomized trial will provide high-quality evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of long-term TEA for treating DGE after distal gastrectomy.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000033965. Registered on 20 June 2020

A commentary on: "Electroacupuncture or transcutaneous electroacupuncture for postoperative ileus after abdominal surgery" - Where is the evidence of who could benefit? (Int J Surg 2019 Sep 5;70:93-101. doi: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2019.08.034. [Epub ahead of print]).

A commentary on: "Electroacupuncture or transcutaneous electroacupuncture for postoperative ileus after abdominal surgery" - Where is the evidence of who could benefit? (Int J Surg 2019 Sep 5;70:93-101. doi: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2019.08.034. [Epub ahead of print]).

Electroacupuncture or transcutaneous electroacupuncture for postoperative ileus after abdominal surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

At present, there is no ideal treatment for postoperative ileus (POI) after abdominal surgery. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) and transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA) in improving postoperative POI. We systematically screened randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from multiple databases and included 15 high quality RCTs. Two investigators independently conducted data extraction, risk of bias assessment and statistical analysis. Meta-analysis was performed by a random- (REM) or fixed-effect (FIXED) model. A total of 15 trials involving 965 participates were included. Meta-analysis results favored EA/TEA treatment for POI by analysis of time to first flatus [mean difference (MD) -11.60 h, I2 = 94%, REM)], time to first defecation (MD -12.94 h, I2 = 90%, REM), time to bowel sound recovery (MD -7.25 h, I2 = 85%, REM), time to first oral feeding (MD -15.76 h, I2 = 47%, REM) and length of hospital stay (MD -1.19 d, I2 = 44%, REM). Subgroup analysis of laparoscopic surgery patients also favored EA/TEA by analysis of time to first flatus (MD -2.46 h, I2 = 0%, FIXED), time to first oral feeding (MD -10.73 h, I2 = 0%, FIXED) and length of hospital stay (MD -1.30 d, I2 = 32%, REM). ST36 (Zusanli), ST37 (Shangjuxu) and ST39 (Xiajuxu) are preferred EA/TEA acupoints for treating POI. There was no significant difference in postoperative analgesic consumption between EA and control groups (P = 0.39). No severe adverse events associated with EA/TEA were reported. This meta-analysis suggests that EA/TEA is a safe, effective treatment for POI after abdominal surgeries including laparoscopic surgery, and that EA/TEA does not relieve postoperative pain after abdominal surgery. There is significant heterogeneity of research on this subject, thus, a professional consensus is needed to establish a standard protocol for use of this technique.

Does electrical stimulation to the hands (transcutaneous electroacupuncture stimulation, TEAS) have frequency-specific effects on heart rate variability (HRV)?

Does electrical stimulation to the hands (transcutaneous electroacupuncture stimulation, TEAS) have frequency-specific effects on heart rate variability (HRV)?

Comparison of the effectiveness between transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, manual acupuncture, and electroacupuncture on tinnitus: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundTranscutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) involves a neuromodulatory effect using electrical stimulation and has been widely used due to its safety and convenience. It has been used for treating tinnitus for decades. Acupuncture has also been used for tinnitus and several research studies have shown that acupuncture can improve a certain kind of tinnitus by stimulating the somatosensory system. Moreover, several studies have shown the efficacy of electroacupuncture, which is a combination of acupuncture and electrical stimulation, for tinnitus. However, the comparative effectiveness of TENS, manual acupuncture, and electroacupuncture for the treatment of tinnitus has not been determined previously. Herein, we design a randomized, non-blind clinical trial to investigate and compare the effects and safety of TENS, manual acupuncture, and electroacupuncture for tinnitus.MethodsAfter screening, 45 patients are randomly assigned to three groups: (1) patients in the TENS group are treated at four sites (tender points of masseter and the sternocleidomastoid muscle, in front of tragus, and mastoid process); (2) the manual acupuncture group patients are treated at 11 acupoints (TE21, SI19, GB2, TE22, ST7, TE17, GB20 of tinnitus affected side, and GB20, TE05, KI3 of both sides); (3) electroacupuncture group patients are treated by using acupuncture as in the manual acupuncture group and electrical stimulation at TE21, SI19, TE17, and GB20. Patients are treated for ten sessions, twice a week. The primary outcome measurement is the change of Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) score between visit 1 and visit 10. The secondary outcome measurements are the response rate of THI, change in visual analogue scale associated with the loudness and annoyance of tinnitus, pure-tone audiometry and speech discrimination, and changes in parameters of heart rate variability.DiscussionThe purpose of this study is to compare the effect of TENS, manual acupuncture, and electroacupuncture in the auricular area on tinnitus. If the specific treatment shows a significant effect compared to other treatments, it could have potential for use in clinical practice as a primary treatment.Trial registrationClinical Research Information Service (CRIS), KCT0002117. Registered October 21, 2016. Retrospectively registered.

Efficacy of needleless transcutaneous electroacupuncture in synchronization with breathing for symptomatic idiopathic gastroparesis: A blinded and controlled acute treatment trial.

Needleless transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA) improves nausea and myoelectrical activity in diabetic gastroparesis (GP). Synchronized TEA (STEA), which combines synchronized breathing with TEA, is more potent than TEA in enhancing vagal activity in healthy subjects. To investigate whether STEA improves symptoms, electrogastrogram (EGG) and vagal activity in idiopathic gastroparesis (IGP). Eighteen IGP subjects underwent 2 randomized visits (sham at non-acupoints or real STEA at acupoints) consisted of a 30-minute baseline, an Ensure challenge to provoke nausea, followed by 60-minute treatment with sham or real STEA, and 15-minute observation period. Severity of nausea, EGG, and vagal activity (based on electrocardiogram and serum Pancreatic Polypeptide, PP) were recorded. In sham or STEA, the nausea scores of 2.7±0.5 and 1.9±0.5 at fasting baseline, respectively, increased to 5.9±0.4 and 5.8±0.3 during Ensure test (P<.05, vs baseline), subsequently reduced to 3.4±0.6 with sham or 3.6±0.6 with STEA, respectively (P<.05, vs Ensure period). Experiments with sham and STEA started with similar % of normal waves on EGG (66.4±3.9 and 61.8±3.0, respectively); decreased to 63. 5±4.1 and 58.2±2.8 during the Ensure test. After STEA, there was ~24% increase in % of normal waves, significantly different from the sham (6.0%) (P<.01). In sham or STEA, vagal activity was identical at baseline and after the Ensure. STEA induced a 3-fold increase in vagal activity compared with sham (P<.01). Ensure increased serum PP levels, and both treatments decreased the PP CONCLUSIONS: In IGP, STEA is not superior to Sham in decreasing nausea, but is more effective in improving gastric dysrhythmia.

Transcutaneous electroacupuncture alleviates postoperative ileus after gastrectomy: A randomized clinical trial.

AIMTo investigate the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA) to alleviate postoperative ileus (POI) after gastrectomy.METHODSFrom April 2014 to February 2017, 63 gastric cancer patients were recruited from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. After gastrectomy, the patients were randomly allocated to the TEA (n = 33) or control (n = 30) group. The patients in the TEA group received 1 h TEA on Neiguan (ST36) and Zusanli (PC6) twice daily in the morning and afternoon until they passed flatus. The main outcomes were hours to the first flatus or bowel movement, time to nasogastric tube removal, time to liquid and semi-liquid diet, and hospital stay. The secondary outcomes included postoperative symptom assessment and complications.RESULTSTime to first flatus in the TEA group was significantly shorter than in the control group (73.19 ± 15.61 vs 82.82 ± 20.25 h, P = 0.038), especially for open gastrectomy (76.53 ± 14.29 vs 87.23 ± 20.75 h, P = 0.048). Bowel sounds on day 2 in the TEA group were significantly greater than in the control group (2.30 ± 2.61/min vs 1.05 ± 1.26/min, P = 0.017). Time to nasogastric tube removal in the TEA group was earlier than in the control group (4.22 ± 1.01 vs 4.97 ± 1.67 d, P = 0.049), as well as the time to liquid diet (5.0 ± 1.34 vs 5.83 ± 2.10 d, P = 0.039). Hospital stay in the TEA group was significantly shorter than in the control group (8.06 ± 1.75 vs 9.40 ± 3.09 d, P = 0.041). No significant differences in postoperative symptom assessment and complications were found between the groups. There was no severe adverse event related to TEA.CONCLUSIONTEA accelerated bowel movements and alleviated POI after open gastrectomy and shortened hospital stay.

Effect of transcutaneous electroacupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6) on refractory vomiting in patients in intensive care unit

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA) at Neiguan (PC 6) on refractory vomiting in critically ill patients in intensive care (ICU) setting. MethodsTen patients admitted in ICU and presenting vomiting refractory to one or more antiemetic drugs were prospectively included in the study. TEA was applied at acupoint of Neiguan (PC 6) during 30 min with a neuromuscular transmission monitor (single-twitch stimulation with 1 Hz at a constant current of 10 mA). Nausea and Vomiting were evaluated at the following intervals: immediately after 30 min of TEA at Neiguan (PC 6), 30 min-6h and 6–24 h. The presence of nausea and/or vomiting throughout the observational period was defined as the primary end point. ResultsThe presence of nausea or vomiting throughout the observational period was 10% at the end of TEA, 40% between 30 min and 6 h, and 50% between 30 min and 24 h (P < 0.001, P = 0.01 and P = 0.03 vs pre-TEA, respectively). There were no complications or side effects related to TEA. ConclusionTEA at Neiguan (PC 6) seems effective in reducing refractory vomiting in the patients in ICU setting, even if larger trials are needed to define optimal modalities.

Nonspecific Feelings Expected and Experienced during or Immediately after Electroacupuncture: A Pilot Study in a Teaching Situation.

Background: Some feelings elicited by acupuncture-type interventions are “nonspecific”, interpretable as resulting from the placebo effect, our own self-healing capacities—or, indeed, the flow of qi. Expectation is thought to contribute to these nonspecific effects. Here we describe the use of two innovative 20-item questionnaires (EXPre20 and EXPost20) in a teaching situation. Methods: Respondents were acupuncture students or practitioners on electroacupuncture (EA) training courses (N = 68). EXPre20 and EXPost20 questionnaires were completed before and after receiving individualised treatment administered by colleagues. Respondents were also asked about their prior experience of EA or transcutaneous electroacupuncture stimulation (TEAS). Results: Respondents expected significantly more items to change than not to change, but significantly fewer were experienced as changing. Increases in given questionnaire items were both expected and experienced significantly more often than decreases. “Tingling”, “Relaxation”, and “Relief” or “Warmth” were most often expected to increase or were experienced as such, and “Pain” and “Tension” to decrease or experienced as decreasing. Expectations of change or no change were confirmed more often than not, particularly for “Tingling” and “Tension”. This was not the result of the personal respondent style. Cluster analysis suggested the existence of two primary feeling clusters, “Relaxation” and “Alertness”. Conclusions: Feelings experienced during or immediately after acupuncture-type interventions may depend both on prior experience and expectation.

Effects of transcutaneous electro acupuncture stimulation on esophageal motility of forty-five patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease

Objective To investigate the effects of transcutaneous electro acupuncture stimulation (TEA) on esophageal motility of patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (RGERD) by high resolution manometry (HRM), and to provide a new treatment option for RGERD. Methods From February 2014 to June 2015, a total of 45 patients with RGERD were enrolled. TEA instrument was used for electro acupuncture stimulation at the points of Zusanli and Neiguan. HRM was carried out before and after treatment. The changes of HRM parameters such as lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP), distal contractile integral (DCI), and amplitude of 3 cm, 7 cm above lower esophageal sphincter (LES), esophageal body velocity and contractile front velocity (CFV) were also compared. The paired-samples t test was performed for statistical analysis. Results According to LESP value, 45 patients were divided into low LESP group (10 patients) and normal LESP group (35 patients). According to parameter of esophageal motility function, patients were divided into esophageal dysmotility group (25 patients) and normal esophageal motility group (20 patients). After TEA treatment, the LESP of lower LESP group was (14.83±4.17) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), which was higher than that before treatment ((9.54±2.42) mmHg), and the difference was statistically significant (t=4.92, P=0.001). LESP of esophageal dysmotility group was (19.04±5.91) mmHg, which was higher than that before treatment ((16.20±6.09) mmHg), and the difference was statistically significant (t=4.92, P=0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in LESP of normal LESP group and normal esophageal motility group before and after treatment (both P>0.05). After treatment, DCI of esophageal dysmotility group was (530.76±215.53) mmHg·cm·s, which was higher than that before treatment ((363.92±279.17) mmHg·cm·s), and the difference was statistically significant (t=2.86, P 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in all of the esophageal motility parameters in normal esophageal motility group before and after treatment (all P>0.05). Conclusion TEA can increase LESP and DCI in RGERD patients with esophageal motility dysfunction, improve contraction of entire esophagus and raise esophageal clearance capacity. Key words: Refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease; Transcutaneous electro acupuncture stimulation; High resolution manometry, esophageal; Esophageal motility

Mo1597 Efficacy of Needleless Transcutaneous Electroacupuncture in Synchronization With Breathing for Symptomatic Idiopathic Gastroparesis: A Blinded and Controlled Acute Treatment Trial

Mo1597 Efficacy of Needleless Transcutaneous Electroacupuncture in Synchronization With Breathing for Symptomatic Idiopathic Gastroparesis: A Blinded and Controlled Acute Treatment Trial

Ameliorating effect of transcutaneous electroacupuncture on impaired gastric accommodation induced by cold meal in healthy subjects

Impaired gastric accommodation is recognized as one of major pathophysiologies in functional dyspepsia and gastroparesis. Electroacupuncture has been shown to improve gastric accommodation in laboratory settings. It is, however, unknown whether it exerts similar ameliorating effect in humans and whether needleless transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA) is also effective in improving gastric accommodation. The aim was to investigate the effects of TEA on gastric accommodation, gastric slow waves, and dyspeptic related symptoms. Thirteen healthy volunteers were studied in four randomized sessions: control, cold nutrient liquid, cold nutrient liquid + sham-TEA, and cold nutrient liquid + TEA. The subjects were requested to drink Ensure until reaching maximum satiety. The electrogastrogram (EGG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded to assess the gastric and autonomic functions respectively. 1) Gastric accommodation was reduced with the cold drink in comparison with the warm drink (P = 0.023). TEA improved the impaired gastric accommodation from 539.2 ± 133.8 ml to 731.0 ± 185.7 ml (P = 0.005). 2) The percentage of normal gastric slow waves in six subjects was significantly decreased in the cold session (P = 0.002) and improved in the TEA session (P = 0.009 vs sham; P < 0.001 vs cold). 3) TEA showed significant improvement in the bloating (80.8 ± 5.7 vs 61.2 ± 26.2, P = 0.011), postprandial fullness (48.1 ± 12.0 vs 34.2 ± 21.2, P = 0.042), and nausea (29.6 ± 10.9 vs 19.2 ± 11.2, P = 0.026) in comparison with sham-TEA session. 4) Neither cold drink nor TEA altered vagal activities (P > 0.05). TEA improves impaired gastric accommodation and slow waves induced by cold drink and the effect does not seem to be mediated via the vagal mechanisms.

Ameliorating effects and autonomic mechanisms of needle-less transcutaneous electrical stimulation at ST36 on stress-induced impairment in gastric slow waves.

Stress has long been documented to alter gastrointestinal motility. The effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on stress and gastric motility are relatively well known; however, whether EA has an ameliorating effect on stress-induced dysmotility remained unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects and mechanisms of needle-less transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA) on stress-induced impairment in gastric slow waves. A watch-size digital stimulator was developed. Ten healthy volunteers were involved in a four-session study (control, cold stress, TEA, and sham TEA). Electrogastrograpy was used to assess gastric slow waves, and electrocardiogram was recorded for the assessment of autonomic functions. The recordings were made in each session with/without stress and with TEA at ST36 or sham points. The results are as follows: (i) Cold stress-induced gastric dysrhythmia and impaired normal slow waves (P < 0.01). TEA showed a preventive effect on cold stress-induced impairment in gastric slow waves. TEA at ST36, but not sham TEA, normalized slow waves (P = 0.03 vs stress; P = 0.44 vs control), attributed to the suppression of gastric dysrhythmia; (ii) Postprandially, there was a decrease in vagal activity in both control (P = 0.004) and stress (P = 0.002) sessions; this decrease was prevented with TEA (P < 0.05). Similarly, there was a postprandial increase in sympathetic activity in both control (P = 0.01) and stress (P = 0.002) sessions, and this increase was suppressed with TEA. Needle-less TEA at ST36 using a watch-size stimulator is able to improve stress-induced impairment in gastric slow waves, possibly mediated via the autonomic mechanism. Home-based needle-less TEA may be a viable therapy for stress-induced impairment in gastric motility functions.

Trastornos funcionales y motores digestivos

This article discusses the most interesting studies on functional and motor gastrointestinal disorders presented at Digestive Diseases Week (DDW), 2015. Researchers are still seeking biomarkers for irritable bowel syndrome and have presented new data. One study confirmed that the use of low-dose antidepressants has an antinociceptive effect without altering the psychological features of patients with functional dyspepsia. A contribution that could have immediate application is the use of transcutaneous electroacupuncture, which has demonstrated effectiveness in controlling nausea in patients with gastroparesis. New data have come to light on the importance of diet in irritable bowel syndrome, although the effectiveness of a low-FODMAP diet seems to be losing momentum with time. Multiple data were presented on the long-term efficacy of rifaximin therapy in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhoea. In addition, among other contributions, and more as a curiosity, a study evaluated the effect of histamine in the diet of patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

196 Ameliorating Effect of Transcutaneous Electroacupuncture on Impaired Gastric Accommodation Induced by Cold Meal in Healthy Subjects

196 Ameliorating Effect of Transcutaneous Electroacupuncture on Impaired Gastric Accommodation Induced by Cold Meal in Healthy Subjects

Changes in finger temperature and blood flow in response to different frequencies of transcutaneous electroacupuncture at LI4 (hegu)- interim analysis and "real life" methodological issues: many factors, missing data and a multiplicity of measures

Changes in finger temperature and blood flow in response to different frequencies of transcutaneous electroacupuncture at LI4 (hegu)- interim analysis and "real life" methodological issues: many factors, missing data and a multiplicity of measures

Ameliorating Effect of Transcutaneous Electroacupuncture on Impaired Gastric Accommodation in Patients with Postprandial Distress Syndrome-Predominant Functional Dyspepsia: A Pilot Study.

Patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) have both reduced gastric accommodation and impaired gastric motility that are difficult to treat. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA) for both of these disorders in FD patients. Acute experiments were performed in FD patients to study the effect of TEA and sham-TEA on gastric accommodation assessed by a nutrient drink test and gastric motility assessed by the measurement of the electrogastrogram (EGG). TEA or sham-TEA was performed via cutaneous electrodes at acupoints ST36 and PC6 or sham-points nonacupoints. It was found that (1) gastric accommodation (maximum tolerable volume) was reduced in FD patients compared with the controls (P < 0.03). TEA improved gastric accommodation in FD patients (P < 0.02). (2) Acute TEA significantly increased the percentage and power of normal gastric slow waves in the fed state assessed in the FD patients by the EGG in comparison with sham-TEA. (3) TEA increased vagal activity assessed by the spectral analysis of the heart rate variability in the fed state in FD patients. It was concluded that needleless method of transcutaneous electroacupuncture may have a therapeutic potential for treating both impaired gastric accommodation and impaired gastric motility in patients with FD.

Acute Vagal Activity and Gastric Slow Wave Effects of Transcutaneous Electroacupuncture in Synchronization With Inspiration in Humans

Acute Vagal Activity and Gastric Slow Wave Effects of Transcutaneous Electroacupuncture in Synchronization With Inspiration in Humans