Ongoing Clinical Trials for Gastrointestinal Motility Disorder
There are currently 2 clinical trials investigating treatments for gastrointestinal motility disorder. These studies are exploring medications that may help improve the movement of food through the digestive system and address related complications in patients with swallowing difficulties or those receiving opioid medications for brain injuries.
Clinical trial locations
- Belgium
- France
Study on the Effects of Buspirone Hydrochloride for Patients with Weak or Absent Esophageal Motility
This clinical trial is taking place in Belgium and focuses on patients experiencing difficulty swallowing due to weak or absent muscle movements in the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach, and when it doesn’t work properly, swallowing becomes problematic.
Who can participate: Adults over 18 years old who have been experiencing swallowing difficulties for at least two months are eligible. Participants must have ineffective motility or absent contractility confirmed by a special test called high-resolution impedance manometry (HRiM). There should be no physical blockages or abnormalities causing the symptoms, and any hiatal hernia present must be smaller than 3 cm. Women who can become pregnant must use appropriate contraception during the study.
Who cannot participate: The trial excludes patients whose esophagus does not move food properly due to ineffective motility or absent peristalsis.
What the trial investigates: Researchers are studying whether buspirone hydrochloride, taken as a 10 mg tablet, can improve esophageal movement and ease swallowing symptoms. Buspirone typically reduces anxiety, but this study explores whether it can influence certain receptors in the brain that affect muscle contractions in the esophagus. Participants will receive either the active medication or a placebo (an inactive tablet) in a crossover design, meaning everyone will try both treatments at different times. The trial uses high-resolution manometry to measure pressure and movement inside the esophagus and assess treatment effects.
Study on Naloxegol to Prevent Constipation in Patients with Brain Injury and Opioid Use
This trial is being conducted in France and focuses on patients who have experienced head trauma or bleeding around the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage). These conditions can lead to problems with how food moves through the digestive system, especially when patients are receiving strong pain medications called opioids.
Who can participate: Adults aged 18 or older who have been admitted to an intensive care unit due to head trauma or subarachnoid hemorrhage are eligible. Participants must be receiving sedation for brain protection using specific pain-relief medications (such as Sufentanil, Fentanyl, Remifentanil, or Morphine) given through a vein for less than 24 hours. They should be expected to need a breathing machine and sedation for at least 48 hours, with plans to monitor pressure inside the skull and receive feeding through a tube into the stomach. Participants must be affiliated with or benefiting from a social security scheme.
Who cannot participate: Patients with a history of head trauma, existing gastrointestinal motility disorders, or those who have experienced meningeal hemorrhage (bleeding in the protective layers covering the brain and spinal cord) are excluded.
What the trial investigates: The study is testing whether naloxegol (brand name Moventig), given as 25 mg film-coated tablets, can prevent constipation and lung infections in patients receiving opioids in intensive care. Naloxegol works by blocking the effects of opioids on the gut, helping to maintain normal bowel movements without affecting pain relief in the brain. Participants will receive either the medication or a placebo. Researchers will monitor whether patients have bowel movements and develop pneumonia during the first week of hospitalization. The study will also track nutritional intake, the need for additional medications to manage vomiting or constipation, the duration of mechanical ventilation, and patients’ recovery status six months after enrollment. The trial is expected to conclude by September 2026.
Summary
These two clinical trials represent different approaches to addressing gastrointestinal motility issues in distinct patient populations. The Belgian trial focuses on chronic swallowing difficulties related to esophageal movement problems, testing buspirone hydrochloride as a potential treatment. The French trial addresses acute complications in critically ill patients with brain injuries, investigating whether naloxegol can prevent opioid-induced constipation and associated lung infections. Both studies reflect ongoing efforts to find better management options for digestive system movement disorders in patients with varying underlying conditions. If you think you might be eligible for either trial, speak with your healthcare provider about the potential benefits and risks of participation.
