Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Ameliorating Effects and Autonomic Mechanisms of Transcutaneous Electrical Acustimulation in Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
Gastric dysmotility is one of pathophysiologies of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) on gastric accommodation and gastric slow waves, and evaluate possible mechanisms in patients with GERD. ⋯ Acute TEA increases gastric accommodation, improves gastric slow waves, and reduces postprandial fullness and belching, possibly mediated via the vagal mechanisms.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Transcutaneous Electrical Acustimulation Improves Gastrointestinal Disturbances Induced by Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization in Patients With Liver Cancers.
Gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances occur in patients who receive chemotherapy via transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and could last for an extended period of time in some cases. Antiemetic drugs have a potential risk of developing hepatic failure and are ineffective for delayed nausea and emesis. Transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) has recently been reported to exert antiemetic and prokinetic effects, but it is unknown whether it has an ameliorating effect on TACE-induced GI disturbances. ⋯ TEA improves major TACE-induced GI disturbances in the delayed phase, including nausea, bloating, impaired gastric pace-making activity, and constipation in patients with liver cancers via the autonomic pathway.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Patient-Administered Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Postoperative Pain Control After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Feasibility Trial.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a noninvasive analgesic neurostimulation modality. Difficulties in clinical trial blinding and therapy administration have limited conclusions of previous trials. The aims of this study were to first investigate the feasibility and acceptability of patient-administered TENS after surgery, and second, the feasibility of using sub-sensory TENS as a proxy sham group for patient-blinding. ⋯ Patient-administered TENS is safe and acceptable. Future studies may use sub-sensory TENS as a proxy sham control to more reliably blind patients. A larger, double-blinded RCT employing these techniques is now needed to determine the analgesic efficacy of TENS in an enhanced recovery setting, and its potential to reduce opiate usage.