A randomised trial of rectal stimulants for neurogenic bowel management after spinal cord injury
NSIC Stoke Mandeville, Award: £28,439, Date of Award: 9 Aug 06
Neurogenic bowel dysfunction is a major problem to spinal cord injured (SCI) individuals. It has a significant impact on quality of life and contributes to long term morbidity.
Rectal stimulation is used by many SCI individuals with reflex bowel function and is used specifically to trigger bowel evacuation at a chosen time. Pharmacological rectal stimulants have a direct effect on the speed and efficiency of evacuation, which in turn have a significant effect on the quality of life of SCI individuals. However, there is little evidence regarding efficacy and side effects. It is not known which stimulants might reduce the requirement for interventions such as ano-rectal stimulation and manual evacuation of stool.
A multi-centre randomised trial is proposed to address these issues.