Vibrating capsule effective for chronic idiopathic constipation

PHILADELPHIA — An orally administered, intraluminal capsule appeared effective for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation, according to research presented at the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Meeting.

Satish S.C. Rao, MD, PhD, of Augusta University Medical Center, and colleagues studied the capsule — called Vibrant Capsule (VC, Vibrant Ltd.) — to determine its effect on complete spontaneous bowel movements.

“Fortunately, there are many treatments; laxatives, secretagogues, prokinetics and biofeedback therapy,” Rao said in his presentation. “Yet, many patients remain dissatisfied, up to 50%, some surveys show.”

Researchers enrolled patients with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) into one of two double-blind, sham controlled trials that used two different paradigms of VC activation. In the first, patients (n = 182) underwent a single vibration session, and in the second, patients (n = 63) underwent multiple vibration sessions. Both groups recorded bowel symptoms over the course of the eight-week study period.

Rao and colleagues found that the number and percentage of complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM) were higher in the active arm compared with the sham arm in both studies (study 1, P < .0018; study 2, P < .0357). Patients in the single vibration study experienced a peak of CSBMs approximately 8 to 12 hours after intake, while patients in the multiple vibration group experience an additional peak at 17 to 21 hours after intake.

“It is highly probable that vibrating capsule induces bowel movements through mechanical activation of colonic muscles and augmenting the normal circadian rhythm that is present in all of us,” Rao said. “This capsule, I believe, offers a novel treatment approach, which is a non-drug-based approach for treating constipation that merits further, careful randomized studies in phase 3.”

Reference :

Rao SC, et al. Abstract 73. Presented at: American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting; Oct. 5-10, 2018; Philadelphia.

Disclosure: Rao reports that he serves on the advisory committee at Vibrant and has also received grant support from the company. Please see the study abstract for all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.