Transcutaneous Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation: An Adjuvant Treatment for Intractable Constipation in Children

Abstract

Background: Functional constipation can lead to painful defecations, fecal incontinence, and abdominal pain, significantly affecting a child’s quality of life. Treatment options include non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches, but some cases are intractable and require alternative interventions like neuromodulation. A subtype of neuromodulation, called Transcutaneous Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation (TPTNS), comprises electrical stimulation at the ankle level, by means of electrodes fixed to the skin. TPTNS is a minimally invasive, easy-to-apply technique that can potentially improve constipation symptoms in the pediatric population by stimulating the sacral nerves. Aim: To evaluate the clinical results and applicability of TPTNS as an adjuvant treatment for children and adolescents with functional constipation. Methods: Between April 2019 and October 2021, 36 patients diagnosed with functional constipation according to the Rome IV Criteria were invited to participate in the study. The study followed a single-center, uncontrolled, prospective cohort design. Patients received TPTNS for 4 or 8 weeks, with assessments conducted immediately after the periods of TPTNS and 4 weeks after the end of the intervention period. The data normality distribution was determined by the Shapiro–Wilk test. The Wilcoxon test and Student’s t-test for paired samples were used to compare quantitative variables, and the McNemar test was used to compare categorical variables. Results: Of the 36 enrolled patients, 28 children and adolescents with intractable function constipation completed the study, receiving TPTNS for 4 weeks. Sixteen patients (57.1%) extended the intervention period for 4 extra weeks, receiving 8 weeks of intervention. TPTNS led to significant improvements in stool consistency, frequency of defecation, and bowel function scores, with a reduction in abdominal pain. Quality of life across physical and psychosocial domains showed substantial enhancements. The quality of life-related to bowel habits also improved significantly, particularly in lifestyle, behavior, and embarrassment domains. The positive effects of this intervention are seen relatively early, detected after 4 weeks of intervention, and even 4 weeks after the end of the intervention. TPTNS was well-tolerated, with an adherence rate of approximately 78%, and no adverse effects were reported. Conclusions: TPTNS is an adjuvant treatment for intractable functional constipation, improving bowel function and quality of life. The effects of TPTNS were observed relatively early and sustained even after treatment cessation.