Bowel issues occur in nearly all people after spinal cord injury (SCI) and one major complication is fecal incontinence (accidents). This complication has been repeatedly highlighted by people living with SCI as particularly life-limiting and in need of more options for interventions. This study will test the effect of genital nerve stimulation (GNS), with non-invasive electrodes, on the activity of the anus and rectum of persons after SCI. Recording anorectal manometry (ARM) endpoints tells us the function of those tissues and our study design (ARM without stim, ARM with stim, ARM without stim) will allow us to conclude the GNS effect and whether it is likely to reduce fecal incontinence. The study will also collect medical, demographic, and bowel related functional information. The combination of all of these data should help predict who will respond to stimulation, what will happen when stimulation is applied, and if that stimulation is likely to provide an improvement in fecal continence for people living with SCI.
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ARM outcome - Rectal wall tension
Timeframe: Up to three weeks after enrollment
ARM outcome - Anal sphincter function
Timeframe: Up to three weeks after enrollment
ARM outcome - Rectoanal reflex activity (RAIR)
Timeframe: Up to three weeks after enrollment
ARM outcome - Rectal sensation
Timeframe: Up to three weeks after enrollment
ARM outcome - Presence of hyper reflexive rectal contractions
Timeframe: Up to three weeks after enrollment