TENS for Obstructed Defecation v1.3 (duplicate)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Study to examine the effect of transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation using a TENS device on patients suffering from dysynergic defecation who have undergone maximal medical therapy: Feasibility Study
IRAS ID
206707
Contact name
Michael K Lim
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Highland R&D
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
A subset of patients who present with obstructive defaecation have anismus, a dis-coordinated use of pelvic floor muscles to facilitate defaecation. Anismus is therefore responsible for a multitude of symptoms and can impact significantly on the quality of life of the patient. Chronic straining from this conditions can result in structural problems with the pelvic floor and lead to the formation of rectocoeles and prolapses. Surgical repair for these structural abnormalities are associated with poor outcomes as the underlying physiological cause of the problem is not rectified by an operation. Biofeedback and pelvic floor physiotherapy has proven to be helpful in improving anismus but there remains a subset of patients who fail this form of treatment. There is good evidence that neuromodulation can help improve pelvic floor function. To date, neuromodulation can be delivered through non invasive means using transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) and has been used safely, and with some success, in patients with faecal and urinary incontinence. We propose a feasibility study to assess the role and efficacy of TTNS using a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) in a very specific group of patients with anismus who have had a minimal or failed response to standard biofeedback therapy.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
16/NS/0066
Date of REC Opinion
9 Sep 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion