In the United States, discussions have begun about bringing a device called Vibrant vibrocapsules to market as a potential option for adults dealing with chronic constipation. Reports from a major news outlet have circulated about this development.
The vibrating capsule is taken orally at night and is designed to reach the large intestine after roughly half a day. Once there, it emits gentle vibrations intended to stimulate nearby nerves and promote bowel activity. After its active phase, the capsule exits the body during a normal bowel movement, leaving no residue behind.
The capsules are manufactured from medical grade materials that are on par with those used in the harmless monitoring tools that gastroenterologists sometimes employ to visualize the gastrointestinal tract from inside the body.
The target population for this device includes about one in ten to one in five people who experience chronic constipation, specifically those with fewer than three bowel movements per week for reasons that are not yet understood and who often experience pain during defecation. In a controlled study with 349 participants, half received vibrocapsules while the other half received a placebo, allowing researchers to compare outcomes directly.
Among those treated with Vibrotabs, a noticeable segment reported improvements in stool consistency and ease of passage, compared with a smaller share in the placebo group. The magnitude of relief reported by vibrocapsule users was similar to what is sometimes seen with traditional laxatives, yet the side effects were reported to be less frequent and less severe in many cases.
Regulatory bodies have indicated that these capsules may be appropriate for adults who do not respond to or cannot tolerate standard constipation medications. They are not intended for individuals with a history of stomach paralysis or intestinal obstruction, as noted by the reporting outlet.