Vaginal Electrical Stimulation for Postpartum Neuromuscular Recovery
Completed · Not applicable · Has a placebo group
Conditions studied: Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury, Vaginal Electrical Stimulation
In brief
For too many women, childbirth results in devastating consequences: involuntary loss of feces or urine (fecal or urinary incontinence). In fact, up to 50 percent of women with severe tears during childbirth may develop these problems. These new mothers avoid leaving home in order to stay close to a toilet, wear protective pads every day, and avoid activities they previously enjoyed such as exercise and sexual intercourse. It is not surprising that many of these women suffer from postpartum depression, and bonding with their newborns is compromised. Fecal and urinary incontinence occur due to injuries to the pelvic nerves and muscles during childbirth. Many researchers have focused on what can be done to prevent these injuries; however, few have investigated how to help the countless women who have already suffered from these injuries to the nerves and muscles. In other fields such as orthopedics and neurology, research shows that electrical stimulation can provoke nerve regeneration after injury. Applying this technology to women who have recently suffered from nerve injury during childbirth could have profound and life-changing effects. Investigators hypothesize that electrical stimulation immediately postpartum will markedly help pelvic nerves regenerate, minimizing rates of fecal and urinary incontinence for this vulnerable population of new mothers.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT02701413
- Run by
- Northwestern University
- People needed
- 66
- Starts
- 2016-02-26
- Expected to finish
- 2020-01-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2021-06-29
Who can join
Age: 18 and older, up to 50. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Primiparous (First delivery)
- Women who sustain Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury (OASIS) during first vaginal delivery
- Between age of 18 - 50 years
- English speaking and reading
You may not qualify if…
- Implanted electrical device or cardiac arrhythmia
- Neurological disorder
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Chronic Steroid Use
- Wound breakdown and infection
- Anticipated geographic relocation
Where it is running
- Northwestern Medical Group's Integrated Pelvic Health Program — Chicago, Illinois, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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