Efficiency of using electrostatic massage in the treatment of functional dyspepsia in children

Introduction. Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a widespread disease, which, according to modern studies, can affect up to 12-20% of the child population. According to clinical guidelines, combination therapy is used to treat FD, including normalization of the daily routine and nutrition, drug therapy, and physiotherapy. Objective: to evaluate the possibility of using an electrostatic massage device in the complex therapy of FD in children. Materials and methods: this work was a prospective single-center study. Thirty patients aged 6 to 15 years with a diagnosis of FD were examined. A clinical examination of patients, detection of Helicobacter pylori, and an assessment of the quality of life (QOL) using the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales questionnaire were conducted. The patients were prescribed standard drug treatment, as well as therapy with the Elgos device in a specialized mode. Statistical data processing was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 25 program. Results: the initial assessment of QOL showed a significant decrease in the number of points in all children with FD. After the course of therapy, the median disappearance of pain syndrome was 5.0 days [Q1-Q3: 4.0-5.0], 95% CI: 4.10-5.23, dyspeptic - 3.0 days [Q1-Q3: 3.0-5.0], 95% CI: 3.20-4.53, asthenovegetative - 4.0 days [Q1-Q3: 2.0-4.0], 95% CI: 2.97-4.23. In the group with a mixed variant of FD, the relief of pain and dyspeptic syndromes was statistically significantly earlier in comparison with patients with epigastric pain syndrome: p = 0.035 and p < 0.001, respectively. There was a statistically significant decrease in the level of pain syndrome, the median VAS after treatment was 0.0 points [Q1-Q3: 0.0-1.0], 95% CI: 0.28-0.79, p < 0.001. There was an increase in all quality of life indicators according to the PedsQL™ 4.0 questionnaire scales. Conclusion: the use of combination therapy in the treatment of FD showed high efficiency and good compliance in patients. Further studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of physiotherapy, including the device in the treatment of FD.

functional dyspepsia, children, quality of life, physiotherapy

1. Nightingale S, Sharma A. Functional gastrointestinal disorders in children: What is new?. J Paediatr Child Health. 2020;56(11):1724-1730. doi: 10.1111/jpc.14857.

2. Novikova V.P., Baryshnikova N.V., Khavkin A.I. et al.; Union of Pediatricians of Russia and the Society of Pediatric Gastroenterologists, Hepatologists, and Nutritionists of Russia. [Clinical guidelines of the Union of Pediatricians of Russia and the Society of Pediatric Gastroenterologists, Hepatologists, and Nutritionists of Russia on Functional Dyspepsia in Children]. 2025. (in Russ.) Available at: https://apiportalcr.minzdrav.gov.ru/api/Files/GetProjectFile/1898 (Accessed: 02.12.2025)@@ Клинические рекомендации Союза педиатров России и Общества детских гастроэнтерологов, гепатологов и нутрициологов России по Функциональной диспепсии у детей/ Новикова В.П., Барышникова Н.В., Хавкин А.И. и др.; Союз педиатров России и Общество детских гастроэнтерологов, гепатологов и нутрициологов России. -2025 г. URL: https://apiportalcr.minzdrav.gov.ru/api/Files/GetProjectFile/1898.

3. Varisova A. Kh., Svirava A.M., Dudnikova E.V., Badyan A.S., Besedina E.A., Chernova M.S. Modern concepts about cyclic vomiting syndrome in children. Rossiyskiy Vestnik Perinatologii i Pediatrii (Russian Bulletin of Perinatology and Pediatrics). 2024;69(2):117-126. (In Russ.) doi: 10.21508/1027-4065-2024-69-2-117-126.@@ Варисова А.Х., Свирава А.М., Дудникова Э.В., Бадьян А.С., Беседина Е.А., Чернова М.С. Современные представления о синдроме циклической рвоты у детей. Российский вестник перинатологии и педиатрии. 2024;69(2):117-126. doi: 10.21508/1027-4065-2024-69-2-117-126.

4. Thapar N., Benninga M.A., Crowell M.D. et al. Paediatric functional abdominal pain disorders. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2020 Nov 5;6(1):89. doi: 10.1038/s41572-020-00222-5.

5. Lee K., Kwon C.I., Yeniova A.Ö. et al. Global prevalence of functional dyspepsia according to Rome criteria, 1990-2020: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2024 Feb 20;14(1):4172. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-54716-3.

6. Shava U., Srivastava A., Mathias A., Kumar N., Yachha S.K., Gambhir S., Poddar U. Functional dyspepsia in children: A study of pathophysiological factors. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021 Mar;36(3):680-686. doi: 10.1111/jgh.15193.

7. Waseem S., Rubin L. A comprehensive review of functional dyspepsia in pediatrics. Clin J Gastroenterol. 2022 Feb;15(1):30-40. doi: 10.1007/s12328-021-01561-w.

8. Carro Rodríguez M.Á., Hidalgo Montes I., Jovani Casano C., Recio Linares A., Masip Simó E., Rodrigo Garcia G., Bodas Pinedo A.; en representación del Grupo de Trabajo de Motilidad y Trastornos Gastrointestinales funcionales de la SEGHNP. Recommendations for the management of functional dyspepsia from the SEGHNP working group on motility and functional gastrointestinal disorders. An Pediatr (Engl Ed). 2025 May;102(5):503860. doi: 10.1016/j.anpede.2025.503860.

9. Légeret C., Stienen Y., Furlano R., Köhler H. Effectivity of treatment for children with functional dyspepsia. Sci Rep. 2022 Jan 27;12(1):1467. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-05380-y.

10. Grigoriev K.I., Grigorieva O.K., Mazurina S.V., Solovieva A.L., Vartapetova E.E. Physical methods of treatment of children with diseases of the biliary tract. Meditsinskaya sestra (The Nurse). 2022; 24 (3): 20-30. doi: 10.29296/25879979-2022-03-05.@@ Григорьев К.И., Григорьева О.К., Мазурина С.В., Соловьева А.Л., Вартапетова Е.Е. Физические методы лечения детей с заболеваниями билиарного тракта. Медицинская сестра, 2022; 24 (3):20-30. doi: 10.29296/25879979-2022-03-05.

11. Waseem S., Rubin L. A comprehensive review of functional dyspepsia in pediatrics. Clin J Gastroenterol. 2022;15(1):30-40. doi: 10.1007/s12328-021-01561-w.

12. Meltseva E.M., Kulik E.I., Oleksenko L.L., Dusaleeva T.M., Revenko N.A. [Physical methods of treating functional dyspepsia in children]. Bulletin of Physiotherapy and Balneology. 2016; 22(4): 49-57. (in Russ.)@@ Мельцева Е.М., Кулик Е.И., Олексенко Л.Л., Дусалеева Т.М., Ревенко Н.А. Физические методы лечения функциональной диспепсии у детей. Вестник физиотерапиии курортологии. 2016; 22(4): 49-57.

13. Yin J., Chen J.D. Noninvasive electrical neuromodulation for gastrointestinal motility disorders. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2023 Dec;17(12):1221-1232. doi: 10.1080/17474124.2023.2288156.

14. Mao X., Guo S., Ni W. et al. Electroacupuncture for the treatment of functional dyspepsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 Nov 6;99(45): e23014. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000023014.

15. Ha N.Y., Keum C.Y., Kim J. Pediatric Tuina for the treatment of functional dyspepsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Complement Ther Med. 2025 Mar;88:103117. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2024.103117.

16. Kulikov A.G., Yarustovskaya O.V., Kuzovleva E.V., Zaitseva T.N., Kulchitskaya D.B., Konchugova T.V. Application of low-frequency electrostatic field in clinical practice.Russian Journal of the Physial Therapy, Balneotherapy and Rehabilitation. 2019;18(3):195-209. (in Russ.) doi: 10.17816/1681-3456-2019-18-3-195-209.@@ Куликов А.Г., Ярустовская О.В., Кузовлева Е.В., Зайцева Т.Н., Кульчицкая Д.Б., Кончугова Т.В. Применение низкочастотного электростатического поля в клинической практике. Физиотерапия, бальнеология и реабилитация. 2019;18(3):195-209. doi: 10.17816/1681-3456-2019-18-3-195-209.

17. Razumov A.N., Pogonchenkova I.V., Khan M.A., Lian N.A., Vakhova E.L., Mikitchenko N.A. The application of the pulsed low-frequency electrostatic field in pediatrics. Problems of Balneology, Physiotherapy and Exercise Therapy. 2019;96(1):55-62. (In Russ.) doi: 10.17116/kurort20199601155.@@ Разумов А.Н., Погонченкова И.В., Хан М.А., Лян Н.А., Вахова Е.Л., Микитченко Н.А. Применение импульсного низкочастотного электростатического поля в педиатрии. Вопросы курортологии, физиотерапии и лечебной физической культуры. 2019;96(1):55-62. doi: 10.17116/kurort20199601155.

18. Budnikova L.N., Badalyan A.A., Chernysheva I.N., Balashova T.N., Zhuravlev S.V. New possibilities of applying low-frequency electrostatic field in medical rehabilitation. Kremlin Medicine Journal. 2024;(4):138-142. (in Russ.)@@ Будникова Л.Н., Бадалян А.А., Чернышева И.Н., Балашова Т.Н., Журавлёв С.В. Новые возможности применения низкочастотного электростатического поля в медицинской реабилитации. Кремлевская медицина. Клинический вестник. 2024;(4):138-142.

19. Badyan A.S., Okhrimenko A.A., Dudnikova E.V., Besedina E.A., Polushkin K.A., Sapronova O.R. Features of the quality of life in children with chronic gastritis and psychological characteristics of the personality of patients. Rossiyskiy Pediatricheskiy Zhurnal (Russian Pediatric Journal). 2024; 27(1): 22-27. (In Russ.) doi: 10.46563/1560-9561-2024-27-1-22-27.@@ Бадьян А.С., Охрименко А.А, Дудникова Э.В., Беседина Е.А., Полушкин К.А., Сапронова О.Р. Особенности качества жизни детей с хроническим гастритом и психологические особенности личности больных. Российский педиатрический журнал. 2024; 27(1): 22-27. doi: 10.46563/1560-9561-2024-27-1-22-27.

20. Homan M., Jones N.L., Bontems P. et al.; on behalf of ESPGHAN/NASPGHAN. Updated joint ESPGHAN/NASPGHAN guidelines for management of Helicobacter pylori infection in children and adolescents (2023). J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2024 Sep;79(3):758-785. doi: 10.1002/jpn3.12314.

21. Le Thi T.G., Werkstetter K., Kotilea K. et al.; Helicobacter pylori Special Interest Group of ESPGHAN. Management of Helicobacter pylori infection in paediatric patients in Europe: results from the EuroPedHp Registry. Infection. 2023 Aug;51(4):921-934. doi: 10.1007/s15010-022-01948-y.

22. Kim H.J. Significance and Related Factors of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Children with Dyspepsia. Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr. 2025 Jan;28(1):38-45. doi: 10.5223/pghn.2025.28.1.38.

23. Szajewska H., Berni Canani R., Domellöf M. et al.; ESPGHAN Special Interest Group on Gut Microbiota and Modifications. Probiotics for the Management of Pediatric Gastrointestinal Disorders: Position Paper of the ESPGHAN Special Interest Group on Gut Microbiota and Modifications. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2023 Feb 1;76(2):232-247. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000003633.

24. Gordon M., Sinopoulou V., Tabbers M. et al. Psychosocial Interventions for the Treatment of Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatr. 2022 Jun 1;176(6):560-568. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.0313.

25. Wei Z., Yang X., Xing X., Dong L., Wang J., Qin B. Risk factors associated with functional dyspepsia in Chinese children: a cross-sectional study. BMC Gastroenterol. 2021 May 12;21(1):218. doi: 10.1186/s12876-021-01800-x.

26. Browne P.D., Vlieger A.M., Benninga M.A. et al. Percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation for pediatric functional dyspepsia: randomized controlled trial. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2021.03.039.

27. Santucci N.R. et al. Percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation for pediatric functional dyspepsia: sham-controlled trial. Neuromodulation. 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.neurom.2022.07.014.

28. Santucci N.R., Beigarten A.J., Khalid F. et al. Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation in Children and Adolescents With Functional Dyspepsia-Integrating a Behavioral Intervention. Neuromodulation. 2024 Feb;27(2):372-381. doi: 10.1016/j.neurom.2023.07.005.

29. Lin S., Ye R., Wu G., Wu L., Lin Y., Li D., Xie N., Zhang H. The effect of therapeutic massage combined with conventional therapy in children with functional dyspepsia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pharmacol. 2025 Apr 16;16:1554438. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2025.1554438.

30. Ha N.Y., Keum C.Y., Kim J. Pediatric Tuina for the treatment of functional dyspepsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Complement Ther Med. 2025 Mar; 88:103117. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2024.103117.