Mercy Gastroenterologist Dr. Bryan Curtin Leads Study on Vibrating Capsule, Shown Safe, Tolerable in Treating Chronic Idiopathic Constipation

A study led by board-certified gastroenterologist Bryan Curtin, M.D., MHSc, director of The Center for Neurogastroenterology and GI Motility at The Melissa L. Posner Institute for Digestive Health & Liver Disease at Mercy, offers new hope to millions suffering from chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC). Published in a recent issue of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, the study, titled “The Vibrating Capsule: Safety and Tolerability in Patients With Chronic Idiopathic Constipation” (PMID: 40059867), evaluates the safety and tolerability of an innovative, drug-free treatment option: a vibrating capsule.

Idiopathic constipation refers to not having regular bowel movements without any known cause or due to any underlying illness; it accounts for 75% of cases of chronic constipation cases.

“Chronic idiopathic constipation is a frustrating and sometimes debilitating condition for many patients,” said Dr. Curtin. “The vibrating capsule represents a novel, non-pharmacologic approach that could transform the way we manage this condition.” 

The vibrating capsule, once ingested, stimulates the colon through timed mechanical vibrations, mimicking natural peristalsis to encourage bowel movements. In the multi-center study led by Dr. Curtin and colleagues, the capsule demonstrated a favorable safety profile and was well tolerated by patients with CIC—paving the way for broader clinical use and further research into its long-term effectiveness.

“Past research has shown the vibrating capsule to be effective, but we wanted to examine its safety and tolerability for patients. We found that a very low percent, between about two and three percent only, experienced GI events like abdominal discomfort, nausea or diarrhea. Patients had no serious adverse events, and all the patients completed the therapy. More than 80 percent found this approach to their constipation to be convenient, and more than 70 percent were satisfied with the results,” Dr. Curtin said.

According to Dr. Curtin, a total of 800 patients from six studies took either an active vibrating capsule or a placebo. 

Dr. Curtin and his colleagues reported that the vibrating capsule was found to be a “first-in-class treatment for CIC,” safe and well tolerated by patients in the trials.

Dr. Curtin said it was especially noteworthy that less than two percent of those in the studies experienced some form of diarrhea. “That’s a huge hurdle to overcome, as most experience diarrhea with traditional anti-constipation medications and methods,” he said. 

Key findings included: 

• No significant adverse events related to the capsule
• High patient compliance and satisfaction
• Evidence supporting its potential as a non-drug therapeutic tool for motility disorders

As director of a recognized center for GI motility disorders, Dr. Curtin emphasizes the importance of expanding treatment options for patients with functional gastrointestinal conditions. “For individuals who do not respond well to traditional medications or wish to avoid long-term drug use, this capsule may offer a safe and effective alternative,” he noted.

Dr. Curtin completed advanced training at the nation’s largest motility clinic in Augusta, Georgia. This experience provided him with specialized expertise in neurogastroenterology and GI motility disorders, which impact how digestive muscles and nerves move food through the digestive tract. Dr. Curtin earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and his fellowship in gastroenterology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Digestive Diseases Branch of the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disease in Bethesda, MD.