MowOot and Trans-anal Irrigation fOr coNstipation

This study is a prospective, open-labelled, longitudinal, controlled trial conducted at a single center. It aims to assess the suitability of Intermittent Colonic Exoperistalsis (ICE) treatment for bowel management in adults with refractory chronic constipation who are awaiting trans-anal irrigation (TAI). The ICE treatment will be applied using the MOWOOT device (USMIMA). The study includes two treatment groups:

Experimental ICE Group: Participants will receive one ICE treatment session lasting 20 minutes daily, at the same hour, for 12 weeks.

Control TAI Group: Participants will follow the usual TAI standard-of-care treatment for 12 weeks.

Participants will be given the option to choose between the ICE treatment and the TAI treatment after both options are explained to them. Healthcare professionals will recommend the most suitable treatment based on individual patient needs, but the final decision will rest with the patients.

The primary objective is to evaluate the change in satisfaction with daily quality of life related to bowel management, measured by a Likert scale (Bothersome scale). Secondary objectives include assessing the efficacy of the ICE treatment on chronic constipation, both qualitatively and quantitatively, and evaluating the economic impact from the hospital's perspective.

Secondary outcomes will be measured through various patient-reported and health professional-reported metrics, including changes in quality of life (PAC-QOL), constipation symptoms (PAC-SYM), constipation severity (CCCS), time spent in bowel management and evacuation, use of other treatments, number of consultations and hospital admissions, productivity, acceptability and ease of use of the ICE treatment, reported problems, compliance, adherence, and persistence in treatment. Health professional outcomes will include time spent per visit, total time spent until independent use of MOWOOT, ease of patient management, and patient treatment preferences.

Inclusion criteria

• Adult people (18 yo or older) of any gender
• Attending their pre-scheduled on-site visit to the site (The Sir Alan Parks Physiology & Pelvic Floor Biofeedback Unit | Central Middlesex Hospital) due to constipation (Symptoms meeting the American College of Gastroenterology definition of chronic constipation: unsatisfactory defaecation characterized by infrequent stool, difficult stool passage or both for at least previous 3 months.
• Bothered by their constipation
• Failed biofeedback (in absence of outlet problems)
• In waiting list to use TAI
• Able to undertake the treatment with the MOWOOT device or TAI themselves, or with a carer willing to do it
• Able to understand the study requirements
• Able to understand written and spoken English (due to questionnaire validity)
• Able and willing to provide written informed consent to participate

Exclusion criteria

A subject will not be eligible for inclusion in this study if any of the following criteria apply:

Disease phenotype exclusion criteria:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhoea (IBS-D) or alternating constipation and diarrhoea (IBSmix): (not due to laxative use)
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• Significant outlet problem
• Trapping rectocele
• Intra anal rectal intussusception
• External rectal prolapse

Device-related exclusion criteria:

• Abdominal perimeter ≤65cm or ≥130cm
• Unable to independently use the MOWOOT technology, unless a carer is available daily to assist

Other medical conditions, medications and contraindications:

• Pregnancy or attempt to become pregnant in the next 6 months.
• Previous large bowel resection
• Active anorexia or bulimia
• Active abdominal cancer
• Large inguinal or umbilical hernia
• Recent abdominal scars, abdominal wounds or skin disorders that may make abdominal massage uncomfortable
• Any condition that contraindicates abdominal massage.
• Significant abdominal pain
• Participation in another parallel interventional clinical trial or less than 2 months from participation in a previous interventional clinical trial
• Planned surgery* if it might be within trial dates (* minor surgery not affecting adherence to treatment is allowed)