RecruitingNot Applicable

Bowel Continence Across the Lifespan in People With Spina Bifida

United States943 participantsStarted 2026-04-01

Plain-language summary

The goal of this observational study is to learn how different enema programs affect bowel control in children and adults with spina bifida. An enema program involves putting liquid into the large intestine (colon) to help someone poop. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. How well do different enema programs prevent bowel accidents? 2. How do these enema programs affect independence, bowel symptoms, and quality of life? Researchers will compare two types of enema programs to see which works better and is easier for participants to manage. Participants starting a new enema program will answer online survey questions at 3 different timepoints over the course of 1 year.

Who can participate

Age range

5 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Minimum age 5 years old * Myelomeningocele diagnosis * Starting a retrograde or antegrade enema program (or switching from one enema program to the other) * English or Spanish speaking/literate Exclusion Criteria: \- Other types of spinal dysraphism (e.g., lipomyelomeningocele, fatty filum)

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Bowel continence

Timeframe: Before starting enema program, 6 months after starting enema program, 1 year after starting enema program

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07390318

SponsorDavid Chu

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2030-05-01

Contact for this trial

Josephine Hirsch

312-227-6076 jahirsch@luriechildrens.org

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Spina Bifida trials