At a glance
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The Effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Bowel Management in People With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury - a Pilot Study
In Brief
A clinical study evaluating Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for Electric Stimulation Therapy and 3 related conditions. Completed, enrolled 20 participants across 1 site.
Detailed Summary
It has been reported that 62% of all people with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) have experienced faecal incontinence and that neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) is a major sequela. As an alternative to abdominal massage or the use of suppositories, the electrical stimulation (ES) of the abdominal wall has been shown to be effective in decreasing the bowel transit time as well as decreasing constipation in children with slow-transit constipation. Due to the intrinsic nature of the guts' innervation, we expect to reproduce these positive effects in people with SCI through administration of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES).
Study Details
Timeline
Interventions
The stimulation will be conducted at home or at the SPC for half an hour about 30 minutes before the usual bowel emptying time. Four adhesive electrodes are attached to the abdominal wall for the neuromuscular electrical stimulation. The abdominal muscles are stimulated in such a way that activation occurs, i.e. the muscle alternately contracts and relaxes again. The stimulation sessions will be documented with a defined protocol. In addition, the stool consistency is rated according to the Bristol Stool Form Scale.