Swallow a magnet: new capsule could spot stomach disorders
NCT ID NCT05004012
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested a special capsule with a magnet inside that doctors can control from outside the body. The capsule takes pictures of the stomach to see how it moves and digests food. Researchers wanted to see if this device could help diagnose conditions like gastroparesis and dyspepsia. The study involved 20 people and looked at stomach contractions and safety.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Magnetically Controlled Capsule Endoscopy (device)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a less invasive way to diagnose stomach motility disorders like gastroparesis and dyspepsia.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small feasibility study with only 20 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The device is still experimental and not yet proven for this use.
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
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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
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20 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Dec 2021
- Finished
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May 2023
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide 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 Must meet one of the following categories: 1. Gastroparesis Meets diagnostic criteria for gastroparesis: 1. Evidence of delayed gastric emptying documented with a standard 2 hour or 4 hour gastric emptying scintigraphy exam 2. Absence of mechanical obstruction 3. Exhibits cardinal symptoms of early satiety, post-prandial fullness, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and upper abdominal pain Gastrointestinal cardinal symptom index (GCSI) score \> 0 (i.e., the presence of at least mild severity of \>1 of 3 symptoms of nausea/vomiting, postprandial fullness/early satiety, and/or bloating). 2. Functional Dyspepsia Meets Rome IV diagnostic criteria for functional dyspepsia: 1. Criteria fulfilled for the last 3 months with symptom onset at least six months prior to diagnosis 2. No evidence of organic, systemic, or metabolic disease that is likely to explain the symptoms on routine investigations (including at upper endoscopy) 3. Meet criteria for Epigastric pain syndrome and/or Postprandial distress syndrome Epigastric Pain Syndrome At least 1 of the following symptoms at least 1 day per week 1. Bothersome epigastric pain 2. Bothersome epigastric burning Postprandial Distress Syndrome At least 1 of the following symptoms at least 3 days per week 1. Bothersome postprandial fullness 2. Bothersome early satiation 3. G-POEM 1. The G-POEM procedure must have been performed at least 4 weeks prior to screening. 2. GCSI score is \< 3 which correlates to mild or less symptom severity. 4. Controls None of the above conditions Exclusion Criteria: 1. Another active disorder or treatment which could explain or contribute to symptoms in the opinion of the Investigator (including but not limited to gastric malignancy, neurological disorder, or heavy doses of strong anticholinergics). 2. Gastrectomy, fundoplication, vagotomy, bariatric surgery, post-surgical cause of gastroparesis, or gastric stimulation device surgically implanted within the last year. Prior G-POEM procedure for gastroparesis is allowed for the group of post-G-POEM study subjects. 3. Dysphagia, swallowing disorder 4. Suspected bowel obstruction or perforation 5. Gastric or parenteral feeding within 4 weeks of screening 6. Pregnancy or nursing 7. History of an eating disorder within 2 years of screening 8. Recent history (within six months of screening) of Alcohol Use Disorder or Substance Use Disorder as defined in DSM-5. 9. Uncontrolled thyroid disease 10. Unstable cardiac, respiratory, hepatic or renal disease 11. Evidence of uncontrolled blood glucose (including HbA1C \>9 or metabolic crisis in past 60 days). 12. Use of prohibited medication or medication with anti-nausea, antiemetic, neuromodulating, or prokinetic effect within 2 weeks of the screening visit EXCEPT when administered on a stable daily dosing schedule (stable for at least 1 month prior to the screening visit). 13. Use of as needed or daily opioids within the past 1 month. 14. Pyloric injection of neurotoxins (e.g. botulinum type A or B) within 3 months of the Screening visit. 15. Altered mental status (e.g., hepatic encephalopathy) that limits the ability to swallow a capsule 16. Expected to have Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examination within 30 days. 17. No reliable contact information - no phone, no permanent address. 18. Pacemaker or ICD 19. Inability to avoid using the bathroom for urination and/or bowel movements for the duration of the study. 20. Metal Implant (ie metal hip arthroplasty, surgical mesh, coronary or arterial stent) 21. Prior bowel surgery 22. Severe claustrophobia 23. Any other reason as determined by the Investigator which may lead to an unfavorable risk-benefit of study participation, may interfere with study compliance, or may confound study results.
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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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University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States
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