Functional magnetic stimulation facilitates gastrointestinal transit of liquids in rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a relatively nov el technology, functional magnetic stimulation (FMS), on gastrointestinal t ransit of liquids in rats. Orogastric gavage with technetium-99 solution wa s used to assess gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit time in 92 r ats. FMS was performed over the anterior cervical and/or dorsal thoracolumb ar regions using a figure-8 coil. Stimulation protocols were 1, 2, or 4 h i n length. FMS accelerated gastric emptying and decreased gastrointestinal t ransit time. The acceleration was dependent on the stimulation parameters u sed as well as on the duration of the protocol; high levels of FMS produced a quicker effect, whereas lower levels were effective at later times. This study provides evidence that FMS could be an alternative or adjunct therap y to treat disorders in gastrointestinal motility. (C) 2000 John Wiley & So ns, Inc.*