Abdominal Electrical Stimulation for Bowel Dysfunction in SCI

Technology
Bowel health
Online since 1 December 2025, updated yesterday

About this trial

This trial is enrolling 12 participants with chronic spinal cord injury to test the effect of low-intensity abdominal transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) on bowel health. TES is a non-invasive technique that delivers electrical pulses through surface electrodes placed on the skin to stimulate underlying nerves or muscles. If included, participants will use an electrical stimulator at home for 30 minutes before each bowel routine for 2 months. Final testing of bowel health will be performed after 18 weeks.

Included participants

Gender
All
Age
18 - 80 years
Injury level
C2 - S5
  • Severity (AIS)?
  • AIS-A
    AIS-B
    AIS-C
    AIS-D
    Time since injury
    ≥ 1 year
  • Injury type
  • Traumatic

    Non-traumatic

    Healthy volunteers
    No
    C2-S5

    What’s involved

    Type

    Technology

    Details

    - Participants will undergo abdominal transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) at home for 30 minutes before each bowel routine over 2 months, using adhesive pads on the abdomen without causing muscle contractions. - TES is a non-invasive technique that delivers electrical pulses through surface electrodes placed on the skin to stimulate underlying nerves or muscles. - Final testing of bowel health will be performed after 18 weeks.

    Potential benefits

    Main benefits

    Bowel health

    Additional benefits

    General health

    Good to know: Potential benefits are defined as outcomes that are being measured during and/or after the trial.

    Wings for Life supports SCITrialsFinder

    Wings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.

    Learn more


    • Trial recruitment status
    • By invitation
    • Trial start date
    • 14 Jul 2025
    • Organisation
    • University of Alberta
    • Trial recruitment status
    • By invitation
    • Trial start date
    • 14 Jul 2025
    • Organisation
    • University of Alberta

    Wings for Life supports SCITrialsFinder

    Wings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.

    Learn more