Brain zaps and probiotics: a new combo for IBS sufferers?
NCT ID NCT07172139
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study looks at whether combining a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS with either a gut relaxant (pinaverium bromide) or a probiotic (bifidobacteria) can better ease symptoms of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). About 140 adults with chronic abdominal pain and diarrhea will be randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups for two weeks. The goal is to see if the combination works better than either approach alone, with a focus on reducing pain and improving stool consistency.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), pinaverium bromide, and bifidobacterium probiotic
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a new combination treatment that better relieves abdominal pain and diarrhea for people with IBS-D.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage trial with only 140 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The brain stimulation and medications may cause mild side effects like headache or digestive upset, and the sham group helps check if benefits are real.
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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About 140 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Sep 2025
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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May 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- 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 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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 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: (I)Age range 18-75 years (either sex) (II)Fulfilling the Rome IV criteria for irritable bowel syndrome diagnosis (III)Bristol stool type 6-7 in \>25% and type 1-2 in \<25% of bowel movements (IV)Patients experienced Bristol stool type 6 or 7 on ≥4 days with mean abdominal pain score ≥3 during the initial 2-week period Exclusion Criteria: (I)Documented organic gastrointestinal pathology; endocrinologic or metabolic diseases with known gastrointestinal motility effects including diabetes mellitus and hyperthyroidism; previous surgical interventions involving abdominal cavity intestinal tract or anal region (II)current use of any medication with documented effects on gastrointestinal motility or secretory function; administration of concurrent therapies or pharmacologic agents capable of confounding treatment efficacy or safety evaluations (III)pregnancy lactation or postpartum status within 12 months (IV)noncompliance with randomized treatment allocation or demonstrated poor adherence tendencies
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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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.
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