Anorectal Stimulation Causes Increased Colonic Motor Activity in Subjects With Spinal Cord Injury

Individuals with spinal cord injuries often experience difficulty with bowel movements. Digital rectal stimulation (DRS) is commonly used to aid bowel evacuation, but the reasons for its effectiveness are not well understood. This study investigated how DRS affects the motility of the colon in individuals with spinal cord injuries. The study found that DRS increases the number of peristaltic waves, which are contractions that move stool through the colon. The researchers suggest that DRS triggers an anorectal colonic reflex, leading to enhanced contractions in the descending colon and rectum. This reflex may contribute to bowel evacuation in people with spinal cord injuries.

• 1
  DRS significantly increased the mean number of peristaltic waves per minute in the colon compared to baseline.
• 2
  The peristaltic contractions observed during and after DRS were accompanied by the expulsion of barium oatmeal paste, simulating stool, in all subjects.
• 3
  The study suggests an anorectal colonic reflex is activated by DRS, leading to increased left-sided colonic motility.