Could a TENS unit stop bowel accidents after spinal injury?
NCT ID NCT05626816
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.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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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
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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MetroHealth Medical System Old Brooklyn Campus
RECRUITINGCleveland, Ohio, 44109, United States
Contact
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Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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