Subsensory sacral neuromodulation for incontinence
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN98760715 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN98760715 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | 34463 |
- Submission date
- 04/09/2017
- Registration date
- 25/09/2017
- Last edited
- 04/06/2024
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Digestive System
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Faecal incontinence (FI) is when you do not have control over defecation. A relatively new treatment called sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is now commonly offered to adults suffering with FI. Suitable patients include those with faecal incontinence caused by childbirth, surgery, and advancing age. A battery powered unit is implanted into the lower back. This is connected to electrodes which rest on the nerves in the lower spine. This stimulator then continuously sends electrical impulses to the nerves and muscles that control the lower bowel (rectum and anus). The result is improved continence. Previous studies have reported a great benefit of SNM in some patients. Unfortunately, other patients can have little or no response. We are still unsure about how SNM restores bowel control, and we still do not know with certainty how effective SNM really is. SNM costs on average £10,000 per patient just for the equipment and is not without its risks and side-effects. It is therefore vital that these questions are answered. The aim of this study is to establish how SNM works and how well SNM works. These specialist tests will study their anal and rectal function as well as their corresponding brain activity.
Who can participate?
Adults aged 18-75 who have faecal incontinence.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in the first group receive 16 weeks of therapy using the SNM and those in the second group receive 16 weeks of placebo (dummy) therapy. At the end of 16 groups the participants switch treatments. Participants are assessed for their quality of life and faecel incontinence symptoms. Participants are followed up to one year.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants may benefit from receiving a high standard of surgery using the latest technical optimisation and monitored scare. They are reimbursed for reasonable travel expenses. There are no major risks to participants above the standard risk of SNM therapy. SNM is an established therapy whose main attraction is non-invasiveness and safety compared to other surgical procedures. The small period (3 months) without active therapy imposed by the crossover design is not deemed ‘harmful’ for a chronic and stable condition by the time surgical intervention is considered.
Where is the study run from?
This study is being run by Queen Mary University of London (UK) and takes place in several NHS specialist centres in the UK and in the EU.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2017 to February 2023
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (UK)
Who is the main contact?
1. Miss Eleanor McAlees
e.mcalees@qmul.ac.uk
2. Mrs Kerry Tubby
k.tubby@qmul.ac.uk
Contact information
Public
Senior Clinical Trials Research Nurse
National Bowel Research Centre (NBRC)
Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Barts & the London School of Medicine & Dentistry
1st Floor Abernethy Building, 2 Newark St
Whitechapel
London
E1 2AT
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)207 882 8751 |
|---|---|
| e.mcalees@qmul.ac.uk |
Public
National Bowel Research Centre (NBRC)
Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Barts & the London School of Medicine & Dentistry
1st Floor Abernethy Building, 2 Newark St
Whitechapel
London
E1 2AT
United Kingdom
Study information
| Study design | Randomised; Both; Design type: Treatment, Device, Complex Intervention, Surgery, Cohort study |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study setting(s) | Hospital |
| Study type | Treatment |
| Participant information sheet | ISRCTN98760715_PIS_V2_27Jul17.pdf |
| Scientific title | SUBsensory Sacral Neuromodulation for InContinence: Randomised double-blind efficacy and mechanism study of sub-sensory sacral (optimised) neuromodulation in adults with faecal incontinence |
| Study acronym | SUBSoNIC |
| Study objectives | The aim of this study is to determine clinical effectiveness of sacral nerve-root stimulation: sacral neuromodulation (SNM) using a commercially-available implantable device, Medtronic Interstim ® in adults with Faecal Incontinence failing conservative treatment. |
| Ethics approval(s) | SUBsensory Sacral Neuromodulation for InContinence - SUBSoNIC, 13/09/2017, ref: 17/LO/1060 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Faecal incontinence |
| Intervention | In contrast to a traditional clinical trial, the design of this trial allows all participants to receive the treatment. This is possible by using a crossover design i.e. one where after implantation of the stimulator all participants receive a period of real therapy (SNM: device on but at an unperceived level of stimulation) compared to a period of sham (placebo) therapy. The effects of SNM can then be compared while both the patients and the research team are unaware of whether the stimulation is SNM or sham. This is called ‘double-blinding’ and is the gold standard for determining what the true effects of the treatment are. Suitably eligible patients consenting to take part in the study undergo surgery to receive the SNM device (Medtronic Interstim II Model 3058) and be randomised to two equal groups (Group 1 and Group 2 above). Both groups receive 16 weeks with SNM and 16 weeks with SHAM (in different order). At the beginning and part way through (+6 weeks) each phase, participants attend a reprogramming of the SNM device. At the end of the 16 weeks they cross over to the other group (SNM to SHAM or SHAM to SNM). Assessments take the form of four week bowel diary and quality of life questionnaires/FI symptom scores. These are completed at baseline (prior to SNM implantation & randomisation) and at the end of each 16 week phase. After completion of both 16 week phases (SNM & SHAM), all participants are then followed up to the one year time-point with all stimulators left SNM and patient decisive stimulation level. |
| Intervention type | Device |
| Pharmaceutical study type(s) | |
| Phase | Not Applicable |
| Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s) | Medtronic Interstim ® |
| Primary outcome measure | The reduction in FI events in SNM vs. SHAM using a 4 week bowel diary in paper format between 12 and 16 and between 28 and 32 weeks |
| Secondary outcome measures | A variety of quality of life questionnaire and bowel diary measures recorded at 16, 32 and 58 weeks: 1. E-event recorder including episodes of faecal material, leakage of flatus, urgency without incontinence, social and physical activity (see figure 4 below); 2. Other bowel diary measures: Urgency, Urge and passive faecal incontinence episodes, use of loperamide and social functioning; 3. Summative questionnaire assessments: St Mark’s continence score52; OAB-Q SF score, FI QoL score53; International Consultation on Incontinence Bowel (SF-ICIQ-B) questionnaire54. 4. Viscerosensory bowel diary recording quality, site and intensity of defaecatory urge 5. Generic QOL: EQ-5D-5L 6. Likert scale of patient’s global impression of treatment success (scale 0-10) and patient perception of group allocation (blinding success). 7. Electrode settings (inc. motor, first and habituated sensory thresholds), programming, & if applicable re-programming data 8. Adverse events and morbidity. Mechanistic outcomes 1. Advanced anorectal physiology 2. Anocortical neurophysiology |
| Overall study start date | 01/04/2017 |
| Completion date | 28/02/2023 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Upper age limit | 80 Years |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | Planned Sample Size: 90; UK Sample Size: 80 |
| Total final enrolment | 39 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Adults aged 18-80 (updated 25/07/2019, previously: 75) 2. Meet Rome III and ICI definitions of FI (recurrent involuntary loss of faecal material that is a social or hygienic problem and not a consequence of an acute diarrhoeal illness) 3. Failure of non-surgical treatments to the NICE standards. Minimum NICE standard includes; diet, bowel habit and toilet access addressed. Medication e.g. loperamide, advice on incontinence products, pelvic floor muscle training, biofeedback and rectal irrigation should be offered if appropriate. 4. Minimum severity criteria of 8 FI episodes in a 4 week screening period (this is important to exclude patients who might thence have zero FI episodes during baseline evaluations) 5. Ability to understand written and spoken English or relevant language in European centres (due to questionnaire validity) 6. Ability and willingness to give informed consent All participants will have been determined as clinically suitable for SNM based on clinical evaluation and subsequent multidisciplinary team discussion (as mandated by NHS England specialist commissioning guidance) or equivalent guidance in other participating EU countries. |
| Key exclusion criteria | A standard list of exclusions (disease variants; surgical fitness, specific contraindications to implantation) will be used. Note that these are routine clinical exclusions to the use of SNM rather than participation in the research. For completion: 1. Known communication between the anal and vaginal tracts 2. Prior diagnosis of congenital anorectal malformations 3. Previous rectal surgery (rectopexy/resection) performed < 12 months ago (24 months for cancer) 4. Present evidence or past history of full thickness rectal prolapse 5. Prior diagnosis of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases 6. Displays symptoms of chronic constipation with over-flow incontinence 7. Structural abnormality of the pelvic floor leading to clear evidence of obstructed defaecation based on examination and/or imaging 8. Symptoms of significant evacuatory dysfunction based on Obstructive Defecation Syndrome Score > = 8 9. Presence of active perianal sepsis (including pilonidal sinus) 10. Defunctioning loop or end stoma in situ 11. Diagnosed with neurological diseases, such as diabetic neuropathy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease 12. Current or future need for MR imaging based on clinical history 13. Complete or partial spinal cord injury 14. Bleeding disorders e.g. haemophilia, warfarin therapy 15. Pregnancy or intention to become pregnant during the study period 16. Not fit for preferred method of anaesthesia 17. Anatomical limitations that would prevent successful placement of an electrode including congenital abnormalities 18. Psychiatric or physical inability to comply with the study protocol (inc. e-diary assessments) at investigator discretion 19. Required to drive for long periods of time for example lorry drivers, taxi drivers and delivery drivers. |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/10/2017 |
| Date of final enrolment | 23/06/2022 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- England
- Scotland
- United Kingdom
Study participating centres
Whitechapel
London
E1 1BB
United Kingdom
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom
Mindelsohn Way
Edgbaston
West Midlands
Birmingham
B15 2TH
United Kingdom
Crewe Road
South Edinburgh, Midlothian
Edinburgh
EH4 2XU
United Kingdom
Harrow
HA1 3UJ
United Kingdom
NW1 2BU
United Kingdom
Southmoor Road
Manchester
M23 9LT
United Kingdom
Tremona Road
Hampshire
Southampton
SO16 6YD
United Kingdom
Leicester
LE1 5WW
United Kingdom
Headington
OX3 7LE
United Kingdom
Crownhill
Plymouth
PL6 8DH
United Kingdom
Priory 2
Sandwell Hospital
Lyndon
West Bromwich
B71 4HJ
United Kingdom
Surrey
Chertsey
KT16 0PZ
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
University/education
Joint Research Management Office
5 Walden Street
London
E1 2EF
England
United Kingdom
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/026zzn846 |
|---|
Funders
Funder type
Government
Government organisation / National government
- Alternative name(s)
- National Institute for Health Research, NIHR Research, NIHRresearch, NIHR - National Institute for Health Research, NIHR (The National Institute for Health and Care Research), NIHR
- Location
- United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | 31/12/2023 |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| Publication and dissemination plan | Planned publication in a high-impact peer reviewed journal as well as: 1. Study participants and carers: feedback to individual participants, users and carers who have been involved in, or otherwise contributed to, the trial); 2. Charity links and patient groups: results of the studies will be disseminated using the strong web-based and media infrastructure already developed by the Charity Bowel and Cancer Research (B&CR). This infrastructure includes the B&CR website (www.bowelcancerresearch.org which has 2,500 unique web visitors monthly), social media e.g. Facebook site (12,000 followers and), Twitter, and a public relations officer (a free-lance journalist who is employed by B&CR for one day per week who will help develop and edit press releases: 50 local and national news publications in 2012). B&CR is dedicated to breaking down the taboos concerning discussion of bowel problems such as incontinence. B&CR and several of the applicants have links with other patient organisations and charities e.g. Core, GI Blues, Ileostomy Association and the Bladder and Bowel Foundation; 3. Local health service providers including developing clinical commissioning groups via specially convened local meetings and written reports 4. NIHR collaboration: the CI is Director of the Bart’s NIHR HTC for GI disease. Results will be disseminated by the HTC newsletter/website to all 90 UK industrial and all 25 clinical colorectal centres. |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study will be available upon request from the Pragmatic Clinical Trials Unit Data Sharing Committee, pctu-data-sharing@qmul.ac.uk Anonymised individual level data without prior consent in line with the Data Protection Act will be available subsequent to the final report and publication made by the CI/lead authors. Data will be made available only following a successful application and data sharing agreement with PCTU. The PCTU supports appropriate data sharing to maximize the value of research data, including for patient and public benefit. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | version V2 | 27/07/2017 | 26/10/2017 | No | Yes |
| Protocol article | protocol | 26/06/2018 | Yes | No | |
| HRA research summary | 26/07/2023 | No | No | ||
| Basic results | 04/06/2024 | 04/06/2024 | No | No |
Additional files
- ISRCTN98760715_PIS_V2_27Jul17.pdf
- Uploaded 26/10/2017
- ISRCTN98760715_BasicResults_04Jun24.pdf
Editorial Notes
04/06/2024: Basic results uploaded.
17/10/2023: The intention to publish date was changed from 31/10/2023 to 31/12/2023.
22/05/2023: The overall study end date has been changed from 31/05/2023 to 28/02/2023 and the plain English summary has been updated to reflect this change.
15/12/2022: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The overall trial end date has been changed from 14/11/2022 to 31/05/2023 and the plain English summary has been updated to reflect this change.
2. The intention to publish date was changed from 31/05/2022 to 31/10/2023.
3. Total final enrolment added.
07/07/2022: Recruitment to this study is no longer paused as of July 2021 and the following changes have been made:
1. The recruitment end date has been changed from 31/08/2020 to 23/06/2022.
2. The overall trial end date has been changed from 31/05/2022 to 14/11/2022 and the plain English summary has been updated to reflect this change.
20/09/2021: Internal review.
04/05/2020: Due to current public health guidance, recruitment for this study has been paused.
21/01/2020: The condition has been changed from "Specialty: Surgery, Primary sub-specialty: Upper GI Surgery; UKCRC code/ Disease: Oral and Gastrointestinal/ Other diseases of intestines, Oral and Gastrointestinal/ Other diseases of the digestive system" to "Faecal incontinence" following a request from the NIHR.
06/12/2019: The following changes have been made:
1. The recruitment end date has been changed from 30/11/2019 to 31/08/2020.
2. The overall trial end date has been changed from 30/11/2020 to 31/05/2022.
3. The intention to publish date has been changed from 30/11/2020 to 31/05/2022.
25/07/2019: The inclusion criteria were changed.
24/07/2019: The recruitment end date was changed from 28/02/2019 to 30/11/2019.
27/06/2018: Publication reference added.
26/10/2017: Internal review.
