The invention comprises methods of increasing contractile force and/or the motility of a GI tract. A first method comprises selecting a portion of the GI tract and applying a non-excitatory electric field to the portion, which field increases the force of contraction at the portion. A second method comprises determining a timing of a returning wave in the GI tract and applying an electric field to at least a portion of the GI tract, which electric field reduces the response of the GI tract to the returning wave.