abiliti® Closed-Loop Gastric Electrical Stimulation System for Treatment of Obesity: Clinical Results with a 27-Month Follow-Up

BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a novel closed-loop gastric electric stimulation device (abiliti system) featuring a transgastric sensor to detect food intake and an accelerometer to record physical activity to induce and maintain lifestyle changes to treat obesity. METHODS In a prospective, multi-center study, 34 obese subjects (BMI of 42.1 ± 5.3 kg/m(2)) who passed an eligibility evaluation were implanted with the abiliti system. Safety evaluation included an endoscopic exam to assess the intragastric electrode healing. Efficacy evaluation at 1 year of therapy included weight loss, improvements in eating, and exercise behavior and quality of life. RESULTS The transgastric implant controlled by endoscopy was stable for all participants. At 12 months (12 M) the mean excess weight loss (EWL) was 28.7% (95%CI, 34.5 to 22.5%), and mean reduction in BMI was 4.8 ± 3.2 kg/m(2). At 27 months (27 M), the EWL was 27.5% (95% CI, 21.3% to 33.7%). Eating behavior, evaluated by the "Three Factor Eating Questionnaire", showed a significant increase in the cognition factor and decrease in the disinhibition and hunger factors at 12 M in comparison to baseline (p < 0.001). Participants significantly increased their weekly physical activity (p < 0.001). Quality of life was improved in 55.2% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS Gastric electrical stimulation with abiliti system in obese participants is well tolerated and leads to significant 12 M weight loss, which was stable to 27 M. We suggest that weight loss is achieved due to the assessed alteration of eating behavior in particular the reduction in disinhibition and hunger, and the measured increase in physical activity.