Nerve stimulation at the ankle for bowel control after rectal cancer surgery
Tests ankle nerve stimulation for bowel leakage in adults after rectal cancer surgery.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Efficacy and Safety of Transcutaneous Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation on Fecal Continence in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Rectal Neoplasia
Key facts
- Where
- Manresa, SpainSee the 2 sites
AI summary: who the study is looking for
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for adults who had surgery for rectal cancer and may have bowel control problems. It tests nerve stimulation at the ankle against a very low-dose stimulation.
- Age
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Women and men can join.
- Disease stage
- Rectal neoplasia (rectal cancer) treated with a high anterior rectal resection (surgery), by any surgical approach.
- Earlier treatment
- People must have had rectal surgery (high anterior resection). People who were not operated, or who are in a watch and wait programme, cannot join.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Not operated, or in a watch and wait programme
- Has an ostomy
- Pacemaker, defibrillator or other electronic device
- Heart problems in the past, bleeding disorders, epilepsy, severe vascular disorders
- Current pregnancy, skin infection or skin lesions, or active neoplasms
Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
Where in Spain
- ALTHAIA, Xarxa Assistencial Universitaria de Manresa.Manresa, SpainContact: Anna Arnau, PhDTaking people
- Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa, AlthaiaManresa, SpainContact: Meritxell Font, Medical doctorTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- Althaia Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa
- Trial code
- NCT07632196
- Record updated
- 8 June 2026
- Original description
Rectal neoplasia is one of the most prevalent cancers in Spain, and the treatment of choice is total mesorectal excision (TME), as it has demonstrated significant oncological improvements. However, mesorectal excision is not without complications, and patients often experience altered bowel function in the form of low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), as well as erectile dysfunction. However, few studies evaluate faecal incontinence, as most focus on oncological outcomes.Read full original descriptionShow less
Randomized Clinical Trial Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Transcutaneous Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation on Fecal Continence in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Rectal Neoplasia
Rectal neoplasia is one of the most prevalent cancers in Spain, and the treatment of choice is total mesorectal excision (TME), as it has demonstrated significant oncological improvements. However, mesorectal excision is not without complications, and patients often experience altered bowel function in the form of low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), as well as erectile dysfunction. However, few studies evaluate faecal incontinence, as most focus on oncological outcomes.
The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of posterior tibial nerve stimulation on fecal incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and quality of life in patients who underwent to rectal surgery for rectal neoplasia.
It will be conducted a randomized clinical trial (1:1) with two arms: half of the patients will receive posterior tibial nerve stimulation, while the other half will undergo stimulation with subtherapeutic doses. Faecal incontinence will be assessed using the LARS and Wexner questionnaires, and quality of life and sexual function will be assessed using the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQLS) and the Colorectal Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-CR38), at one month, six months and one year after surgery.
Inclusion: Adult patients diagnosed with rectal neoplasia and who have undergone a high anterior rectal resection regardless of the surgical approach (open, laparoscopic, laparoscopic+TaTME or robotic+TaTME).
Exclusion: Patients with contraindications to the use of the neurostimulator:; Pacemaker / Defibrillator / Other electronic devices; History of heart problems; Propensity to excessive bleeding (coagulopathies); Damage to the nervous system (epilepsy); Current pregnancy; Infections or skin lesions; Severe vascular disorders; Active neoplasms; Patients not operated or within active surveillance strategy programs (watch \& wait); Patients with ostomy.