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

• Published in: Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology 2015-11, Vol.30 (11), p.1574-1581
• Main Authors: Zhang, Nina, Song, Gengqing, Chen, Jianfeng, Xu, Feng, Yin, Jieyun, Wu, Qiong, Lin, Lin, Chen, Jiande DZ
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Autonomic Pathways - physiology; Autonomic Pathways - physiopathology; Cold Temperature - adverse effects; electroacupuncture; electrogastrography; Female; gastric myoelectrical activity; Gastrointestinal Motility - physiology; heart rate variability; Humans; Male; Stomach - innervation; Stomach Diseases - etiology; Stomach Diseases - physiopathology; Stomach Diseases - therapy; stress; Stress, Physiological - physiology; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation - methods
• ISSN: 0815-9319; 1440-1746
• DOI: 10.1111/jgh.12995

Background and Aim 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. Methods 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. Results The results are as follows: (i) Cold stress‐induced gastric dysrhythmia and impaired normal slow waves (P