Preventive effects of transeutaneous electrical acustimulation on ischemic stroke-induced constipation mediated via the autonomic pathway

摘要

The aim of this study was to explore the preventive effect and possible mechanisms of transeutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) on stroke-induced constipation. A total of 86 ischemic stroke patients were randomly allocated to 2-wk TEA or sham-TEA group. Bowel dairy and Bristol Stool Form Scale were recorded daily. Constipation and dyspeptic symptom assessment was performed at the end of the 14-day treatment. Electrocardiogram was recorded for the assessment of autonomic function. The correlation between autonomic function at admission and stroke severity was assessed. The univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to investigate the risk factors for stroke-induced constipation. The cumulative incidence of stroke-induced constipation was 68.2 at the acute stage. Sympathetic nerve activity at admission was positively correlated with stroke severity (R = 0.47, P < 0.001).