The impact of transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) on rectal distension‐induced pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)—A study to determine the optimal TEA delivery modalities and effects on rectal sensation and autonomic function

BackgroundTreatment options for abdominal pain in IBS are inadequate. TEA was reported effective treatment of disorders of gut–brain interaction but its mechanism of action and optimal delivery method for treating pain in IBS are unknown. This study aims to determine the most effective TEA parameter and location to treat abdominal pain in patients with IBS‐Constipation and delineate the effect of TEA on rectal sensation and autonomic function.MethodsNineteen IBS‐C patients underwent TEA at acupoints ST36 (leg), PC6 (wrist), or sham‐acupoint. Each patient was studied in five randomized sessions on separate days: (1) TEA/ST36‐100 Hz; (2) TEA/ST36‐25 Hz; (3) TEA/PC6‐100 Hz; (4) TEA/PC6‐25 Hz; (5) TEA/Sham‐25 Hz. In each session, barostat‐guided rectal distention (RD) was performed before and after TEA. Patients graded the RD‐induced pain and recorded three rectal sensation thresholds. A heart rate variability (HRV) signal was derived from the electrocardiogram for autonomic function assessment.Key ResultsStudied patients were predominantly female, young, and Caucasian. Compared with baseline, patients treated with TEA/ST36‐100 Hz had significantly decreased pain scores at RD pressure‐points 20–50 mmHg (p < 0.04). The average pain reduction was 40%. Post‐treatment scores did not change significantly with other TEA modalities except with sham‐TEA (lesser degree compared to ST36‐100 Hz, p = 0.04). TEA/ST36‐100, but not other modalities, increased the rectal sensation threshold (first sensation: p = 0.007; urge to defecate: p < 0.026). TEA/ST36‐100 Hz was the only treatment that significantly decreased sympathetic activity and increased parasympathetic activity with and without RD (p < 0.04).Conclusions & InferencesTEA at ST36‐100 Hz is superior stimulation point/parameter, compared to TEA at PC‐6/sham‐TEA, to reduce rectal distension‐induced pain in IBS‐C patients. This therapeutic effect appears to be mediated through rectal hypersensitivity reduction and autonomic function modulation.