Home › Scleroderma › NCT05989763
Interrogating the Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Constipation in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis
Who can join
Ages 18 and older · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria * Patients with SSc-constipation from Aim 1 of the study * Patients with SCT (\>20% radiopaque marks left in the colon 5 days (120 hours) after swallowing the Sitzmark capsule or patients with RH (defined in Aim 1) * Patients not yet on therapy for constipation or patients who continue to experience constipation while on stable therapy for one month prior to TEA. Exclusion Criteria -Patients with symptoms of both diarrhea and constipation but not predominantly symptoms of constipation.
About the study
The purpose of this study is to determine whether transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) alters systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related colonic and anorectal physiology by enhancing autonomic nervous system (ANS) function. The study will examine the effects of TEA on slow colonic transit (SCT) and rectal hyposensitivity (RH), to examine whether TEA improves autonomic dysfunction and modulates inflammatory pathways.
What is being tested
- Transcutaneous Electrical Acustimulation (TEA) (device)
- Sham-TEA (device)
Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · Participants: 60 · Started: Feb 17, 2024
Contact the study team
- Zsuzsanna H McMahan, MD, MHS (M-PI) · Phone: 7135007531
- Sharvari R Kamat · Phone: 713-500-6898
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT05989763
Locations in the U.S.
| Texas | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.