Making the muscles that control bowel continence stronger
Mechanisms of Improving Fecal Continence Muscles Motor Function in Health and Disease
Tries new ways to strengthen the muscles that keep stool in for adults who experience accidental stool leakage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11291846 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, the team will measure how quickly the muscles that keep stool in get tired and how they recover using non-invasive tests and specialized devices they developed. They will enroll adults across different ages and sexes and use controlled muscle activation, biofeedback, and exercise-like protocols to induce and record muscle fatigue. The researchers will use those measurements to design methods intended to increase muscle contractility and reduce fecal incontinence. Participation will likely involve scheduled in-person testing and training visits at the study site.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with fecal incontinence or noticeable weakness in the anal continence muscles who can travel to the study site and are willing to undergo muscle testing and training procedures.
Not a fit: People whose incontinence is primarily due to irreversible nerve disease, large sphincter defects requiring surgery, or those under 18 are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new exercise- or device-based therapies that reduce accidental stool leakage and improve daily quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Pelvic floor exercises and biofeedback have helped many people with bowel control problems, but this project is novel in precisely measuring muscle fatigue and creating targeted ways to boost muscle contractility.
Where this research is happening
Milwaukee, United States
- Medical College of Wisconsin — Milwaukee, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mei, Ling — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Mei, Ling
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.