Shocking the bowel: new electrical method may ease bathroom struggles for spinal cord injury patients

NCT ID NCT06078176

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tests whether using mild electrical pulses in the rectum can help people with spinal cord injury empty their bowels more quickly. Many with spinal cord injury have slow bowel movements and rely on a finger to stretch the rectum. The trial compares the usual method with electrical stimulation in 12 adults. If it works, it could lead to a simpler, less invasive option.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Electrical rectal stimulation
What this could lead to: If it works, this could lead to a new, less invasive way to help people with spinal cord injury manage bowel emptying.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early study with only 12 people. It is testing a new idea, so it may not work better than the current method.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for NEUROGENIC BOWEL DYSFUNCTION are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

neurogenic bowel spinal cord injury

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

NEUROGENIC BOWEL DYSFUNCTION

Contacts and locations

Locations

Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY
RECRUITING

Syracuse, New York, 13210-2716, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.