# Feasibility and repeatability of ultrasound-guided surface electroenterography to measure colonic slow wave motility in healthy adults

## TL;DR

This study explores using ultrasound to guide electrode placement for measuring colonic motility and finds that while it can detect changes after eating, the results are not consistent enough yet.

## Contribution

The study introduces ultrasound-guided electrode placement for electroenterography and evaluates its repeatability in healthy adults.

## Key findings

- The dominant frequency of 3 cpm was consistent before and after meals, indicating colonic motility.
- Mean power density increased by over 200% after eating, suggesting a measurable gastrocolic reflex.
- Repeatability of measurements was poor to moderate, indicating a need for protocol optimization.

## Abstract

Surface electroenterography is a potential non-invasive alternative to current diagnostics of colonic motility disorders. However, electrode positioning in electroenterography is often based on general anatomy and may lack generalizability. Furthermore, the repeatability of electroenterography measurements is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate ultrasound-guided electrode positioning for electroenterography measurements and to determine the repeatability of those measurements. In ten healthy adults, two electroenterography procedures were performed, consisting of fasting, ultrasound-guided electrode localization and two 20-minute electroenterography recordings separated by a meal. The dominant frequency, the mean power density (magnitude of colonic motility) and the power percent difference (relative pre- to postprandial increase in magnitude) were determined. Repeatability was determined by Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient. The results demonstrated that the dominant frequency did not differ between pre- and postprandial recordings and was 3 cpm, characteristic of colonic motility. The mean power density increased between the pre- and postprandial measurements, with an average difference of over 200%. The repeatability of both the dominant frequency and power density was poor to moderate, whereas the correlation coefficient of the power percent difference was poor. Concluding, ultrasound-guided surface electroenterography seems able to measure the gastrocolic reflex, but the dissatisfactory repeatability necessitates optimization of the measurement protocol.