Using Abdominal Functional Electrical Stimulation to Improve Bowel Function in Adults with Spinal Cord Injury

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the use of abdominal functional electrical stimulation FES to improve bowel management time for people living with chronic spinal cord injury SCI. The study aims to assess whether this stimulation can also enhance bowel-related quality of life, participant-reported bowel function, bowel management strategies, bladder symptoms, and reduce unplanned hospital admissions. Participants experiences and perspectives about the stimulation sessions and device use will also be explored. All participants in this trial will receive abdominal functional electrical stimulation, where electrodes are applied to the abdomen during bowel routines to assess its effects. The intervention lasts for 10 weeks, with daily monitoring of bowel management time and safety. Stimulation dose is tracked during weeks 3 to 7, and participants complete various questionnaires at weeks 1, 3, 7, and 10 to evaluate quality of life, bowel function, bladder symptoms, and intervention acceptability. Participants will be involved in daily bowel management assessments and safety monitoring over the 10-week period. They will complete several questionnaires about their bowel and bladder symptoms, quality of life, and intervention experience at specific weeks. The study uses video-enabled smart devices and videoconferencing software to support data collection. The primary outcome measured is bowel management time, with multiple secondary outcomes to understand the broader impact of the stimulation.

Abdominal Functional Electrical Stimulation to Improve Bowel Function in Spinal Cord Injury