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Noninvasive transdermal accupoint electrical stimulation shows promise in Crohn's disease

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According to a press release, data presented at the International Neuromodulation Society 12^th World Congress in Montreal revealed a collaboration between U.S. and Chinese researchers on noninvasive transdermal accupoint electrical stimulation, which could be a promising new bioelectronics strategy to treat patients with Crohn’s disease.

Hongjie Zhang, MD, from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, and colleagues performed a controlled clinical trial aiming to reduce the inflammatory response underlying Crohn’s disease, the release said.

“We have published numerous studies showing that electrical stimulation via the acupuncture points using surface electrodes can enhance vagal activity,” Jiande Chen, PhD, from Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, who suggested the idea for the study to Zhang, said in the release. “By enhancing vagal activity, we have shown in animals with intestinal inflammation that such electrical stimulation can suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines and thus reduce inflammation.”

Chen and colleagues are preparing those data for publication, the release said.

In the current study, Zhang and colleagues recruited 17 patients with Crohn’s disease and 20 matched controls from June to December 2014 who underwent transdermal accupoint electrical stimulation (TAES). They received TAES at an accupoint on the stomach meridian below the knee called the Zusanli (ST 36) two hours after a meal twice a day for one hour.

The TAES is administered through a watch-sized, needle-less, stick-on device developed by Chen, which is powered by a watch battery and can deliver a variety of stimulation digitally, the release said.

The TAES was administered at the hospital for the first 3 days at which point patients receive instruction on how to use the stimulator at home. Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) scores, heart rate variability, blood and stool samples were then evaluated at 3, 14 and 30 days.

The researchers observed imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system in the Crohn’s cohort after 3 days, the release said.

“We really expect CDAI to go down after chronic TAES,” Zhang said.

Disclosure: Healio Gastroenterology could not confirm relevant financial disclosures at the time of publication.