Interferential therapy: a new treatment for slow transit constipation. A pilot study in adults

• Published in: Colorectal disease Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. e35 - e39
• Main Authors: Queralto, M., Vitton, V., Bouvier, M., Abysique, A., Portier, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.01.2013; Wiley
• Subjects: Chronic Disease; colonic transit time; Constipation - therapy; Defecation; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Female; Food and Nutrition; Gastrointestinal Transit; Humans; Interferential therapy; Life Sciences; Male; Middle Aged; Pilot Projects; Quality of Life; slow transit constipation; Statistics, Nonparametric; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome; Interferential therapy; Slow transit constipation; Colonic transit time
• ISSN: 1462-8910; 1463-1318
• DOI: 10.1111/codi.12052

Aim The study aimed to assess, for the first time, the effectiveness of interferential therapy (IFT) in the treatment of slow transit constipation in adults and its impact on the quality of life. Method All consecutive patients with slow transit constipation diagnosed by symptomology and a colonic transit time (CTT) of > 100 h measured with radiopaque markers were included in this prospective study. IFT was performed for 1 h/day over 3 months. Clinical improvement was based on the stool diary and the Knowles–Eccersley–Scott Symptom and Cleveland Clinic Constipation Scores. Quality of life was assessed with the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index questionnaire. Results Eleven patients with a median age of 51 years were included. At the end of the follow‐up period, seven (63.6%) had significantly improved after IFT with a median of 0.66 stools per week [interquartile range (IQR) 0.33–0.66] before treatment and 1.66 (IQR 1.33–1.66) after (P = 0.007). The Knowles–Eccersley–Scott Symptom score changed from 30 (IQR 27–33) before treatment to 19 (IQR 17–26) after treatment (P = 0.005) and the Cleveland Clinic Constipation Score from 26 (IQR 25–28) to 17 (IQR 13–24; P = 0.005). The CTT improved from 103 h (IQR 101–113) to 98 h (IQR 94–107; P = 0.02). The Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index score improved from 60 (IQR 57–63) to 95 (IQR 68–100; P = 0.005). Conclusion IFT is a new non‐invasive treatment for slow transit constipation. Further studies to confirm these results with longer follow‐up are necessary.