Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial of Translumbosacral Neuromodulation Therapy for Fecal Incontinence.

Translumbosacral neuromodulation therapy with 2400 or 3600 magnetic pulses significantly reduces fecal incontinence episodes compared to sham in a multicenter trial.

• Why it matters: Fecal incontinence is a complex disorder lacking effective, disease-modifying treatments, highlighting the need for novel, noninvasive options that target underlying neuropathy.
• What they did: The study randomized 109 patients to receive weekly TNT with either 2400 or 3600 magnetic stimulations or sham at 4 lumbosacral sites over 6 weeks, assessing stool diaries, bowel symptoms, and neurophysiology.
• The result: Responders were 65.8% in the 2400 group, 81.1% in the 3600 group, and 32.4% in sham, with significant improvements in FI severity, nerve conduction latencies, and anal pressures, and no serious adverse events reported.