Could a TENS unit stop bowel accidents after spinal injury?

NCT ID NCT05626816

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

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether gentle electrical stimulation of a nerve in the genital area can improve bowel control in people with spinal cord injury. Researchers will measure how the rectum and anus respond to the stimulation using a small balloon. The goal is to see if this non-invasive approach could reduce fecal incontinence, a common and life-limiting problem after spinal cord injury.

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 using a TENS unit with surface electrodes
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a non-invasive, drug-free way to reduce fecal incontinence and improve quality of life for people with spinal cord injury.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase study (52 people) testing only short-term effects. It may not translate to real-world benefit, and not everyone responds to the stimulation.

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.

FECAL INCONTINENCE

Contacts and locations

Locations

MetroHealth Medical System Old Brooklyn Campus
RECRUITING

Cleveland, Ohio, 44109, United States

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