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. 2023 May-Jun;26(3):235-240.
doi: 10.4103/aian.aian_1001_22. Epub 2023 Apr 7.

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

Mei Huang  1 , Bofang Zheng  1   2 , Wanfei Zhou  2 , Huaili Fu  2 , Xinrun Chen  3 , Heyong Wu  2 , Jianguo Zhang  2 , Xianju Zhou  1   2
Affiliations

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

Mei Huang et al. Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2023 May-Jun.

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.

Keywords: Constipation; Parkinson’s disease; high-frequency repetitive magnetic stimulation.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Stimulation location of high-frequency repetitive magnetic stimulation (HF-rMS). The center part of the figure-of-eight coils was placed at the center of the sacral bone
Figure 2
Figure 2
Study flow diagram illustrating the passage of participants through the entire trial
Figure 3
Figure 3
Change of KESS scores before and after magnetic stimulation in two groups. 1, Laxative use; 2, frequency of bowel movement; 3, unsuccessful evacuation; 4, the feeling of incomplete evacuation; 5, abdominal pain; 6, bloating; 7, enema/digitations; 8, time taken (minutes at each evacuation/evacuation trial; 9, difficult evacuation leading to painful effort; 10, stool consistency. formula imageKESS = the score of KESS after magnetic stimulation-the score of KESS before magnetic stimulation. *Compared to the sham control group, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test suggested significant differences (P < 0.05)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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