Belly zaps may speed up bathroom time for spinal injury patients

NCT ID NCT06345781

Symptom relief Sponsor: Craig Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This study tests whether using mild electrical pulses on the belly muscles during a bowel program can cut down the time it takes. Fifteen adults with chronic spinal cord injury (above T11) will try the device at home and track their bowel routine times, quality of life, and any changes in habits. The goal is to see if this simple, drug-free approach can make a daily struggle easier.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Abdominal functional electrical stimulation (FES)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a non-drug way to shorten bowel management time and improve daily life for people with spinal cord injury.
What could go wrong: This is a very small early study (15 people) with no control group, so results may not apply widely. The device may not work for everyone or could be uncomfortable.

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

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 15 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Apr 2025

Expected to finish

May 2026

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Chronic SCI (\> 12 months since injury) above the level of T11 2. \> 18 years of age 3. a measurable and consistent start and end event is determinable for the bowel routine * Start events include: 1) enema insertion, 2) digital stimulation, 3) hot drink or initiation of the gastrocolic reflex, 3) abdominal massage, or 4) other, as determined by the participant and research team. * Ending events include: 1) final digital stimulation, 2) when evacuation has ceased, or 3) other, as determined by the participant and research team. 4. Portable smart device with video capabilities and internet access 5. Willingness to access and/or download Zoom (videoconferencing software) Exclusion Criteria: 1. American Spinal Injuries Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) E 2. Self-reported bowel management time (BMT) of \<30 minutes 3. Current bowel conditions such as gastro-esophageal reflux, bowel obstruction, Crohn's disease, or diverticulitis 4. Physical obstacles that prevent AFES (e.g., pregnancy, abdominal trauma, cardiac pacemaker, or other implanted electromedical devices) 5. Stoma or colostomy 6. No response to AFES (e.g., lower motor neuron impairment) 7. History of gastrointestinal surgery within the past 3 months 8. Severely obese participants (\>40 BMI) 9. Primary language other than English 10. Previous history of uncontrolled, recurrent episodes of AD 11. Resting systolic blood pressure (BP) reported as \>140 mmHg

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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 Spinal cord injuries

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.

Belly zaps may speed up bathroom time for spinal injury patients

What the study statuses mean