High-Frequency Repetitive Magnetic Stimulation at the Sacrum Alleviates Chronic Constipation in Parkinson’s Patients

Abstract

Objective: This study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of high-frequency repetitive magnetic stimulation (HF-rMS) at the sacrum for chronic constipation in Parkinson’s patients (PD). Materials and Methods: Eventually 48 PD patients were enrolled from July 2019 to October 2020, and randomly divided into the HF-rMS group (the intervention group, n = 24) and the sham HF-rMS group (the control group, n = 24). The intervention group received HF-rMS at the sacrum, whereas the control group received ineffective magnetic stimulation. We performed clinical evaluation before and after HF-rMS treatment, including constipation score scale (KESS questionnaire), Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III exercise examination), Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) stage of motor function; simple mental status scale (MMSE), anxiety/depression table (HAD-A/HAD-D), the activity of daily living (ADL), and quality of life scale for patients with constipation (PAC-QOL) to evaluate symptoms and satisfaction of PD patients with chronic constipation. Results: There was no significant difference in the clinical characteristics between the two groups. As compared to the control group, the HF-rMS group displayed a larger change (pre and posttreatment) in the KESS scores of PD patients with chronic constipation, suggesting a significant improvement. Moreover, HF-rMS significantly promoted the mood, activity of daily living, and quality of life of PD patients when comparing the alteration of HAD-A/HAD-D scores, ADL scores, and PAC-QOL scores between the two groups. Finally, there was no significant difference in the change of the UPDRS III score and the MMSE score between the two groups. Conclusion: HF-rMS at the sacrum can improve chronic constipation in PD patients.

Colonic Electrical Stimulation for Chronic Constipation: A Perspective Review

“…There are also non-invasive approaches such as transcutaneous electrical stimulation [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ] or functional magnetic stimulation (FMS) [ 20 , 21 , 22 ], that could be combined with CES to explore facilitatory effects.…”

“…Adapted SNS for constipation that selectively stimulates efferent pathways has been also explored, but it is not in general use [ 5 ]. There are also non-invasive approaches such as transcutaneous electrical stimulation [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ] and functional magnetic stimulation [ 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”

Modifying the Collateral Symptoms in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

“…In the present study,[ 14 ] the authors have explored the therapeutic benefit of high-frequency repeated magnetic stimulation (HF-rMS), over sacral bone area in patients with Parkinson's disease having chronic constipation. After excluding any obvious secondary cause of cerebral injury/dysfunction and other systemic end organ diseases, 48 patients with Parkinson's disease were randomized equally into two groups, one which received HF-rMS (the intervention group) and other was a sham group.…”