Using a TENs machine for constipation

I had been exploring this TENs machine vagus nerve protocol over the past month to see if it could support my dysautonomia and heart rate variability. What I like about this protocol is its accessibility– it uses a $30 TENs unit and $10 ear clips, rather than these $400 machines that are specifically designed for vagus nerve stimulation. It’s a very passive approach, so it seemed like a low stakes intervention. 

I’m not sure it helped with dysautonomia for me, but I did notice that it was supporting bowel functioning. Of course, we know that the vagus nerve is crucial for digestion and peristalsis, but I was curious if there was any research on using a similar protocol for IBS-C. I found a very small study (n=40) that used a similar protocol and had promising results for folks with chronic constipation. Because you could easily set up the TENs machine while you’re watching TV, listening to music, or reading, it seems like such an easy tool to add to your kit if you’re struggling with slow motility!