Could a belly zapper cut bathroom time for spinal injury patients?
NCT ID NCT06948175
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Many people with spinal cord injury struggle with slow bowel emptying and constipation. This study tests whether a small device that delivers gentle electrical pulses to the belly can speed up bowel movements and improve stool consistency. Twelve participants will use the stimulator at home for 30 minutes before each bowel routine over two months. Researchers will compare bowel function with and without the device.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- abdominal transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) device
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, non-drug way to reduce bowel emptying time and improve quality of life for people with spinal cord injury.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small early study (12 people) testing a specific stimulation method. Results may not apply to everyone, and the benefit may be modest or not work at all.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital
Edmonton, Alberta, T5G 0B7, Canada
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