Dermatome Electrical Stimulation on Individuals With Overweight and Class I Obesity

Exclusion Criteria

• •Abdominal surgery other than appendectomy, Caesarian section or tubal ligation
• •Positive history of chronic gastrointestinal diseases, systemic disease that could affect gastrointestinal motility, or use of medications that may alter gastrointestinal motility, appetite or absorption, e.g., Orlistat
• •Positive history of diabetes mellitus or use of hypoglycemic medications
• •Positive history of spinal cord injury and/or chronic back pain
• •Significant untreated psychiatric dysfunction based upon screening with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Inventory (HAD) (12), a self-administered alcoholism screening test (AUDIT-C) (13), and the Questionnaire on Eating and Weight Patterns (binge eating disorders and bulimia) (14). If such a dysfunction is identified by a HAD score \>11 or difficulties with substance or eating disorders, the participant will be excluded and given a referral letter to his/her primary care doctor for further appraisal and follow-up.
• •Intake of medication, whether prescribed or over the counter (except multivitamins), within 7 days of the study. Exceptions are birth control pill, estrogen replacement therapy, thyroxine replacement therapy, low dose analgesia or anti-inflammatory medications (Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen) and any medication administered for co-morbidities as long as they do not alter gastrointestinal motility including gastric emptying and gastric accommodation.
• •Subjects may also be excluded from participation for other factors at the discretion of the principal investigator.