Gastric Electrical Stimulation for the Treatment of Gastroparesis or Gastroparesis-Like Symptoms: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The effects of gastric electrical stimulation are not fully understood. We aimed to assess the efficacy of gastric electrical stimulation (GES) for patients with gastroparesis and gastroparesis-like symptoms.

Materials and methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science, Embase, and Science Direct to identify controlled trials and cohort studies. We used random effects models to estimate pooled effects. A total of nine studies met the criteria and were included for the final qualitative synthesis and the quantitative analysis. We examined the mean absolute differences (MD) and 95% CIs.

Results: Nine studies (n = 730) met the criteria and were included for the final qualitative synthesis and the quantitative analysis. There was significant improvement in gastrointestinal (GI) total symptom score (TSS) with the GES group compared with controls during the randomized blind trials. This effect was sustained at 12 months after treatment compared with before treatment (MD = -6.07; 95% CI, -4.5 to -7.65; p < 0.00001). The pooled effect estimate showed a significant improvement in frequency of weekly vomiting episodes at 12 months compared with before treatment (MD = -15.59; 95% CI, -10.29 to -20.9; p < 0.00001).

Conclusion: GES appears beneficial, with significant improvement in GI TSS, weekly vomiting frequency, gastric emptying study, and quality of life.