The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine (대한한방내과학회지)

The Society of Internal Korean Medicine (대한한방내과학회)
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Vagus Nerve Stimulation Through Electro-acupuncture for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

염증성 장 질환에서 전침을 중심으로 한 미주신경자극에 대한 고찰

  • Minjeong Kim (Dept. of Internal Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong) ;
  • Dongwon Kim (Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong) ;
  • Chaehyun Park (Dept. of Internal Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong) ;
  • Jae-Woo Park (Dept. of Internal Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong) ;
  • Seok-Jae Ko (Dept. of Internal Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong)
  • 김민정 (강동경희대학교 한방병원 한방내과) ;
  • 김동원 (강동경희대학교 한방병원) ;
  • 박채현 (강동경희대학교 한방병원 한방내과) ;
  • 박재우 (강동경희대학교 한방병원 한방내과) ;
  • 고석재 (강동경희대학교 한방병원 한방내과)
  • Received : 2023.05.26
  • Accepted : 2023.06.29
  • Published : 2023.06.30
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Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is defined as a chronic inflammatory-mediated disease that causes ulceration and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Among most patients, the course of chronic inflammation repeatedly shows intermittent exacerbations and alternating remissions. However, despite the various therapeutic options to relieve symptoms, such as corticosteroids, TNF-α inhibitors, and antibiotic drugs, there is no known cure for IBD. Nonetheless, previous research has revealed that the autonomic nervous system is involved in the pathophysiology of IBD. In this study, we reviewed clinical trials confirming the therapeutic effect of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on IBD in vivo. We searched in vivo and human studies on Pubmed using keywords combined with "vagus nerve stimulation", "VNS", and "inflammatory bowel disease". All studies included in this review reported that direct VNS is effective in relieving symptoms of IBD and has no severe adverse effects. The most frequently stimulated site was the unilateral cervical vagus nerve area, and parameters for stimulation were set as 5-20 Hz. Based on the results, we aim to summarize the evidence for the efficacy of VNS on IBD and suggest the possibility of auricular electroacupuncture treatment as a therapeutic option for IBD.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

이 성과는 정부(과학기술정보통신부)의 재원으로 한국연구재단의 지원을 받아 수행된 연구임(No. 2022R1C1C1004937).

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