Spinal cord stimulation for bladder and bowel problems after spinal cord injury

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional protocol uses implanted spinal cord stimulation (SCS) to try to improve neurogenic bladder and bowel function in adults with spinal cord injury. Eligible participants are adults 18–60 years old, at least six months post-injury, with AIS grade A–D, who are medically stable and able to complete follow-up. Participants will undergo SCS implantation and programming, with follow-up visits to measure urinary efficiency, bladder capacity, compliance, detrusor pressure, bowel function, and safety outcomes. The approach builds on earlier, smaller clinical reports suggesting SCS can improve bladder and bowel parameters but aims to provide more systematic data on benefit and risks.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age: 18 to 60 years old
* Spinal Cord Injury Classification: AIS Grade A, B, C, or D
* Injury Duration: \> 6 months
* Stable and healthy condition, as determined by the investigator; able to complete the entire study period and cooperate with examinations
* Voluntary participation in clinical trial and ability to sign informed consent form
* Good patient compliance, willing and able to follow follow-up requirements during the follow-up period

Exclusion Criteria:

* Mental Disorders Patients with obvious mental illnesses (such as anxiety, depression, etc.) who are unable to complete relevant subjective scoring.
* Mental and Cognitive Impairments Patients with mental or cognitive disorders who are unable to cooperate with surgeries, undergo programming procedures, or complete follow - up.
* Autonomic Reflex Disorders Patients with severe autonomic reflex disorders.
* Inability in Surgical and Follow - up Processes Patients who are unable to undergo spinal cord stimulation surgery or cooperate with follow - up.
* Spinal Abnormalities Patients accompanied by progressive spinal instability or severe spinal deformities.
* Life Expectancy Patients with an expected lifespan of less than one year.
* Laboratory Abnormalities and Surgical Tolerance Patients with abnormal blood routine, blood biochemistry, etc., and are clinically judged to be unable to tolerate surgery, such as those with coagulation disorders, abnormal liver and kidney function.
* Cardiovascular and Respiratory Diseases Patients with uncontrolled hypertension, severe heart diseases, or severe internal medicine and respiratory system diseases, or those who have regularly taken medications related to hypertension and heart diseases within the recent three months.
* Renal Disorders Patients with severe hydronephrosis or renal function disorders.
* Urogenital Function Disorders before Spinal Cord Injury Patients with pre - existing urethral sphincter or bladder dysfunction before spinal cord injury.
* History of Pelvic Surgery and Radiotherapy Patients with a history of pelvic radiotherapy, bladder cancer, or other bladder surgeries that affect the basic bladder physiology.
* Other Inappropriate Cases Patients considered inappropriate by the researchers.

Where it's running

• Beijing Tsinghua Chang Gung Hospital
  Beijing, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Yang Lu — Beijing Tsinghua Chang Gung
• Study coordinator: Yang Lu, MD
• Email: yanglu@btch.edu.cn
• Phone: +8656119530

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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• How different meals affect metabolism and heat production after high spinal cord injury

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• Gut–brain connections after spinal cord injury

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  Recruiting University of Miami · Miami, Florida · NCT07052344

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.