Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction, Spinal Cord Injury
Conditions
Keywords
spinal cord injury, neurogenic bowel dysfunction, Artificial Intelligence
Brief summary
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of patient education delivered through an artificial intelligence (AI)-based mobile application in the management of neurogenic bowel dysfunction in individuals with spinal cord injury. Within the scope of the study, it will be examined whether the mobile application reduces neurogenic bowel scores, contributes to maintaining stool scores within the normal range, and improves the quality of life of individuals. Accordingly, the AI-based education model to be developed is expected to facilitate the integration of bowel management practices into daily life, prevent complications, and enhance social participation. \-
Interventions
After discharge, the documents to be completed will be delivered to the intervention group participants via the mobile application and to the control group participants via WhatsApp. At the end of the study, after the final assessment is completed, participants will be informed of their group allocation, and those in the control group will be provided with access to the mobile application via a WhatsApp link.
Sponsors
Study design
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
* Volunteers who consent to participate. * Age over 18 years. * Diagnosed with spinal cord injury (SCI). * Diagnosed with neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD). * Not in spinal shock (return of the bulbocavernosus reflex). * Having received routine NBD education at the study center within the last month.
Exclusion criteria
* Individuals with mental retardation. * Individuals with visual and/or hearing impairments. * Individuals with communication problems. * Individuals with a history of additional injuries other than SCI (e.g., head trauma, pelvic injury, pelvic surgery). * Individuals diagnosed with neurological disorders such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, polyneuropathy, or multiple sclerosis. * Individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). * Individuals diagnosed with gastrointestinal malignancy.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction (NBD) Score Assessed by the Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction Scale | Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, and Week 12 | Neurogenic bowel dysfunction will be assessed using the Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction (NBD) Scale, a validated questionnaire for individuals with spinal cord injury. The scale ranges from 0 to 47 points, with higher scores indicating more severe bowel dysfunction. The outcome measure is the change in total NBD score from baseline (Week 0) to Week 12. |
| Change in Bowel Care Time Measured in Minutes | Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, and Week 12 | Bowel care time will be measured as the average time (in minutes) required to complete bowel care management. Time will be self-reported by participants. The outcome measure is the change in bowel care time from baseline (Week 0) to Week 12. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Fecal Incontinence Rate | Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, and Week 12 | Fecal incontinence will be assessed based on self-reported occurrence of fecal incontinence episodes. The outcome will be expressed as the percentage of participants experiencing fecal incontinence at baseline (Week 0), Week 4, and Week 12. |