Gastrointestinal electrical stimulation for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders: gastroparesis, obesity, fecal incontinence, and constipation.
Electrical stimulation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is an attractive concept. Since these organs have their own natural pacemakers, the electrical signals they generate can be altered by externally delivering electric currents by intramuscular, serosal, or intraluminal electrodes to specific sites in the GI tract. This article reviews the advances in electrical stimulation of the GI tract by describing various methods of GI electrical stimulation and their peripheral and central effects and mechanisms; updating the status of GI electrical stimulation in the clinical settings of gastroparesis, obesity, fecal incontinence, and constipation; and predicting future directions and developments of GI electrical stimulation technology and their areas of possible clinical applications.
Lin
Zhiyue
Z
Center for GI Nerve and Muscle Function, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Mail Stop 1058, 3910 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
Sarosiek
Irene
I
McCallum
Richard W
RW
D003248:Constipation / Q000628:therapy; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000628:therapy; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D018589:Gastroparesis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome