Transanal Irrigation for the Management of LARS

This study aims to evaluate the impact of Transanal irrigation (TAI) on the quality of life and low anterior resection symptoms (LARS) in Canadian rectal cancer survivors living with minor to major LARS. It proposes to teach TAI through a novel online platform and to provide virtual nursing support for the participants. To our knowledge, this is the first North American based and largest randomized control trial on the use of TAI for patients with LARS. This will also be the first study to teach and support patients through the TAI process using a virtual platform. While TAI has been demonstrated to reduce LARS scores and increased QoL in patients with significant LARS, its feasibility and acceptance for Canadian patients remains uncertain. Furthermore despite the existing studies, the rate of TAI seems to be low in North America. The hypothesis is that TAI, taught and supported through an online portal dedicated to LARS patients, will positively impact QoL and improve LARS symptoms. The results of this trial may allow TAI to become part of the standard armamentarium that clinicians offer patients for LARS management, with the presence of online nursing support and guidance to facilitate this practice.

NCT Number	NCT05007015
Lead Sponsor	Jewish General Hospital Collaborators: McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
Conditions	Low Anterior Resection Syndrome, Rectal Cancer
Enrollment	66 participants
Start Date	2022-01-15
Primary Completion	2026-06-30 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-06-30 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-06-02