Could a TENS device stop bowel accidents in spinal injury?

NCT ID NCT06836739

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: MetroHealth Medical Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jul 29, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This study tests whether using a small electrical stimulation device on the skin near the genitals can help people with spinal cord injury control bowel accidents. Twelve participants will use the device at home for 6-8 hours daily over 4 weeks. The goal is to see if this approach is practical and worth studying further.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: genital nerve stimulation via a TENS device
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a non-invasive, drug-free way to manage bowel accidents for people with spinal cord injury.
What could go wrong: This is a very small feasibility study with only 12 participants. It is too early to know if the stimulation actually works, and the device is being used off-label.

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

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Fecal Incontinence neurogenic bowel palsy paraplegia quadriplegia spinal cord injury

As listed by the trial registrant

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

SPINAL CORD INJURY

Contacts and locations

Locations

MetroHealth Center for Rehabilitation Research
RECRUITING

Cleveland, Ohio, 44109, United States

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