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Active Versus Passive Anal Sphincter Training in Patients With Fecal Incontinence (ACTIPAST)

22 de maio de 2026 atualizado por: Peter Liptak, University Hospital, Martin

Fecal incontinence is a disabling condition that can substantially impair quality of life. This study evaluates whether home-based anal electrical stimulation combined with active voluntary anal sphincter contraction is superior to electrical stimulation alone in patients with fecal incontinence.

The study is a prospective, randomized, parallel-group, open-label controlled trial. Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either electrical stimulation with synchronized active sphincter contraction or electrical stimulation alone. The primary outcome is the change in Vaizey/St. Mark's Incontinence Score from baseline to week 12. Secondary outcomes include fecal incontinence episodes, quality of life, anorectal manometry parameters, adherence, safety, and sustained response during follow-up.

Visão geral do estudo

Status

Recrutamento

Condições

Intervenção / Tratamento

Descrição detalhada

This prospective randomized controlled trial will compare two home-based rehabilitation approaches for fecal incontinence. Eligible adult patients with urge, passive, or mixed fecal incontinence will be enrolled at study site: University Hospital Martin, Slovakia. Possibility to incorporate another study centre with be allowed. Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to one of two treatment arms.

In the active treatment arm, participants will use anal electrical stimulation combined with active voluntary anal sphincter contraction. Electrical stimulation will be delivered using the commercially available NeuroTrac Continence device with a frequency of 40 Hz, pulse width of 250 µs, 5-second ON and 10-second OFF cycles, 1-second ramp-up, and a session duration of 25 minutes. Stimulation intensity will be adjusted by the patient up to the maximum tolerable level without pain. Participants will be instructed to perform a maximum voluntary anal sphincter contraction for 5 seconds at the start of each stimulation ON cycle and to relax during the rest phase.

In the control intervention arm, participants will use identical electrical stimulation parameters but will remain relaxed during stimulation and will not perform active voluntary sphincter contractions. Both groups will receive standardized patient education, including device training and written instructions.

The intervention period will last 12 weeks. Study assessments will include the Vaizey/St. Mark's Incontinence Score, Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life scale, 14-day bowel diary, adherence assessment, adverse event monitoring, and high-resolution anorectal manometry. Optionally patients will be also assessed by endoanal ultrasound to detect possible structural abnormalities where clinical suspicion of these will be present. Assessments will be performed at baseline, week 12, and week 36 (as a post treatment follow up), with interim phone or secure online follow-up for adherence and safety. The primary endpoint is the mean change in Vaizey/St. Mark's Incontinence Score from baseline to week 12. Secondary endpoints include changes in weekly fecal incontinence episodes, FIQL subscales, anorectal manometry parameters, treatment adherence, adverse events, and sustained clinical improvement during follow-up.

Tipo de estudo

Intervencional

Inscrição (Estimado)

24

Estágio

  • Não aplicável

Contactos e Locais

Esta seção fornece os detalhes de contato para aqueles que conduzem o estudo e informações sobre onde este estudo está sendo realizado.

Contato de estudo

Estude backup de contato

Locais de estudo

  • Eslováquia
      • Martin, Eslováquia, 03601
        • Recrutamento
        • Clinic of Internal Medicine- Gastroenterology, University Hospital Martin
        • Contato:
        • Contato:

Critérios de participação

Os pesquisadores procuram pessoas que se encaixem em uma determinada descrição, chamada de critérios de elegibilidade. Alguns exemplos desses critérios são a condição geral de saúde de uma pessoa ou tratamentos anteriores.

Critérios de elegibilidade

Idades elegíveis para estudo

  • Adulto
  • Adulto mais velho

Aceita Voluntários Saudáveis

Não

Descrição

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Signed informed consent
  • Age ≥18 years
  • Diagnosis of fecal incontinence (urge, passive, or mixed type) with at least 1 episode of involuntary stool leakage requiring hygiene intervention or underwear change per month for ≥3 months
  • Vaizey (St. Mark's) Incontinence Score ≥8
  • Ability to understand study procedures and comply with the 12-week home intervention
  • Willingness to attend all study visits and assessments
  • Stable medical management for fecal incontinence for at least 4 weeks prior to enrollment

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Complete spinal cord injury above the conus medullaris
  • Active inflammatory bowel disease flare requiring systemic therapy or not in clinical remission
  • Rectal prolapse requiring surgical intervention
  • Severe symptomatic hemorrhoids interfering with anorectal assessments or device use
  • Active anal fissure or perianal fistula
  • Active colorectal cancer or history of colorectal cancer within 5 years
  • Colorectal surgery within the previous 6 months
  • Pregnancy or planned pregnancy during study participation
  • Implanted cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator
  • Other implanted electrical devices contraindicating electrical stimulation
  • Previous specialized pelvic floor physiotherapy, biofeedback therapy, EMG-guided rehabilitation, or anal electrical stimulation within 3 months prior to randomization
  • Cognitive impairment preventing understanding of study procedures or informed consent
  • Uncontrolled severe diarrhea (>5 liquid stools/day)
  • Anal stenosis preventing probe insertion
  • Severe anal sphincter defect (>120° on ultrasound) requiring surgical repair
  • Isolated severe rectal sensory dysfunction without significant sphincter dysfunction
  • Previous pelvic radiotherapy
  • Concurrent participation in another interventional clinical trial

Plano de estudo

Esta seção fornece detalhes do plano de estudo, incluindo como o estudo é projetado e o que o estudo está medindo.

Como o estudo é projetado?

Detalhes do projeto

  • Finalidade Principal: Tratamento
  • Alocação: Randomizado
  • Modelo Intervencional: Atribuição Paralela
  • Mascaramento: Nenhum (rótulo aberto)

Armas e Intervenções

Grupo de Participantes / Braço
Intervenção / Tratamento
Comparador Ativo: Electrical Stimulation + Active Contraction
Home-based anal electrical stimulation combined with synchronized active voluntary anal sphincter contraction for 12 weeks
Dispositivo: Home-based anal electrical stimulator
Home-based anal electrical stimulation delivered using the NeuroTrac Continence device. Stimulation parameters include frequency 40 Hz, pulse width 250 µs, 5 seconds ON and 10 seconds OFF cycles, 1-second ramp-up, session duration 25 minutes, and patient-adjusted intensity up to the maximum tolerable level without pain.
Comparador Ativo: Electrical Stimulation Alone
Home-based anal electrical stimulation alone without active voluntary sphincter contraction for 12 weeks.
Dispositivo: Home-based anal electrical stimulator
Home-based anal electrical stimulation delivered using the NeuroTrac Continence device. Stimulation parameters include frequency 40 Hz, pulse width 250 µs, 5 seconds ON and 10 seconds OFF cycles, 1-second ramp-up, session duration 25 minutes, and patient-adjusted intensity up to the maximum tolerable level without pain.

O que o estudo está medindo?

Medidas de resultados primários

Medida de resultado
Descrição da medida
Prazo
Change in Vaizey (St. Mark's) Incontinence Score From Baseline to Week 12
Prazo: Baseline to Week 12
Mean change in Vaizey (St. Mark's) Incontinence Score between baseline and week 12. The Vaizey score ranges from 0 to 24, with higher scores indicating more severe fecal incontinence symptoms.
Baseline to Week 12

Medidas de resultados secundários

Medida de resultado
Descrição da medida
Prazo
Change in Weekly Fecal Incontinence Episodes From Baseline to Week 12
Prazo: Baseline to Week 12
Mean change in the number of weekly fecal incontinence episodes recorded in a 14-day bowel diary.
Baseline to Week 12
Proportion of Participants Achieving ≥30% Reduction in Vaizey Score at Week 12
Prazo: Week 12
Percentage of participants achieving at least a 30% reduction in Vaizey (St. Mark's) Incontinence Score compared with baseline.
Week 12
Sustained Improvement in Vaizey Score at Week 36
Prazo: Baseline to Week 36
Mean change in Vaizey (St. Mark's) Incontinence Score at long-term follow-up compared with baseline.
Baseline to Week 36
Change in Maximum Squeeze Pressure on High-Resolution Anorectal Manometry
Prazo: Baseline to Week 12
Mean change in maximum squeeze pressure measured by high-resolution anorectal manometry (HRAM).
Baseline to Week 12
Change in Resting Anal Pressure on High-Resolution Anorectal Manometry
Prazo: Baseline to Week 12
Mean change in resting anal pressure measured by high-resolution anorectal manometry (HRAM).
Baseline to Week 12
Change in Squeeze Endurance on High-Resolution Anorectal Manometry
Prazo: Baseline to Week 12
Mean change in squeeze endurance measured during HRAM assessment.
Baseline to Week 12
Treatment Adherence Rate
Prazo: During the 12-week intervention period
Percentage of prescribed home stimulation sessions completed during the 12-week intervention period
During the 12-week intervention period
Incidence of Adverse Events and Device-Related Complications
Prazo: Baseline to Week 36
Number and type of adverse events and device-related complications reported during the study period.
Baseline to Week 36
Change in Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life (FIQL) Scores
Prazo: Baseline to Week 12
Mean change in FIQL subscale scores (Lifestyle, Coping/Behavior, Depression/Self-Perception, and Embarrassment) from baseline. FIQL subscale scores range from 1 to 4, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.
Baseline to Week 12

Colaboradores e Investigadores

É aqui que você encontrará pessoas e organizações envolvidas com este estudo.

Patrocinador

University Hospital, Martin

Colaboradores

Comenius University

Investigadores

  • Diretor de estudo: Peter Liptak, MD, PhD, Clinic of Internal Medicine- Gastroenterology, University Hospital Martin, Jessenous Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University, Slovakia

Datas de registro do estudo

Essas datas acompanham o progresso do registro do estudo e os envios de resumo dos resultados para ClinicalTrials.gov. Os registros do estudo e os resultados relatados são revisados ​​pela National Library of Medicine (NLM) para garantir que atendam aos padrões específicos de controle de qualidade antes de serem publicados no site público.

Datas Principais do Estudo

Início do estudo (Real)

15 de maio de 2026

Conclusão Primária (Estimado)

1 de maio de 2029

Conclusão do estudo (Estimado)

1 de maio de 2029

Datas de inscrição no estudo

Enviado pela primeira vez

17 de maio de 2026

Enviado pela primeira vez que atendeu aos critérios de CQ

17 de maio de 2026

Primeira postagem (Real)

22 de maio de 2026

Atualizações de registro de estudo

Última Atualização Postada (Real)

28 de maio de 2026

Última atualização enviada que atendeu aos critérios de controle de qualidade

22 de maio de 2026

Última verificação

1 de maio de 2026

Mais Informações

Termos relacionados a este estudo

Palavras-chave

Termos MeSH relevantes adicionais

Outros números de identificação do estudo

  • EK38/2026

Plano para dados de participantes individuais (IPD)

Planeja compartilhar dados de participantes individuais (IPD)?

SIM

Descrição do plano IPD

De-identified individual participant data underlying the reported study results may be shared upon reasonable request to the principal investigator following publication of the primary results. Data sharing will be considered for methodologically sound research proposals and in accordance with institutional policies, ethical approval requirements, and applicable data protection regulations (including GDPR).

Prazo de Compartilhamento de IPD

Beginning 6 months after publication of the primary study results and ending 5 years after publication

Critérios de acesso de compartilhamento IPD

Access will be provided to qualified researchers whose proposed use of the data has been approved by the study investigators and relevant institutional authorities. A data access agreement may be required.

Tipo de informação de suporte de compartilhamento de IPD

  • PROTOCOLO DE ESTUDO
  • SEIVA

Informações sobre medicamentos e dispositivos, documentos de estudo

Estuda um medicamento regulamentado pela FDA dos EUA

Não

Estuda um produto de dispositivo regulamentado pela FDA dos EUA

Não

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