Urinary incontinence affects roughly half of women over 65 and millions of men, especially after prostate surgery. Treatment ranges from pelvic floor therapy and bladder training to medications, nerve stimulation devices, and surgery. Many people manage symptoms well, but research continues on reversing underlying muscle and nerve damage.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing stem cell injections to rebuild damaged sphincter muscle, nerve growth factors, new medications that target bladder overactivity through different pathways than current drugs, and minimally invasive procedures. Researchers are also studying the role of the microbiome and hormones in bladder control, and testing devices that stimulate nerves through the skin.
Regenerative approaches
Stem cell injections aim to rebuild the weakened urethral sphincter, potentially offering lasting improvement for stress incontinence. Early studies show promising safety and some functional gains.
Neuromodulation devices
Wearable devices that stimulate the tibial nerve or other targets are being tested as alternatives to implanted stimulators. These may offer less-invasive options for overactive bladder.
Targeted medications
New drugs aim to calm bladder contractions through pathways different from current anticholinergics, potentially with fewer cognitive side effects. Beta-3 agonists like mirabegron represent one newer class already in use.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on incontinence type (stress, urge, or mixed), severity and duration, prior treatments tried, and other health conditions affecting the bladder or pelvic floor.
What types of trials are currently open
- Device trials — Testing nerve stimulation devices, either implanted or wearable, to improve bladder control by modulating nerve signals.
- Regenerative trials — Studies of stem cells or growth factors injected near the bladder or urethra to repair damaged tissue and restore muscle function.
- Medication trials — Testing new drugs or combinations to reduce urgency and leakage, often comparing them to existing medications like oxybutynin or mirabegron.
- Behavioral trials — Studies of pelvic floor training programs, bladder retraining protocols, and lifestyle changes to see what works best for different types of incontinence.
- Surgical technique trials — Comparing different surgical approaches, such as sling procedures or injectables, to determine which offers the best outcomes with fewest complications.
Recently added Urinary Incontinence trials
Ancillary Nocturnal Urinary Symptoms Analyses for TRIUMPH
The TRIUMPH study is a randomized, double-blinded, 3-arm, parallel-group trial designed tocompare the effects of anticholinergic bladder therapy versus a) beta-3-adrenergic agonistbladder therapy and b) no bladder pharmacotherapy on cognitive, urinary, and other aging-related functional outcomes in ambulatory older women with urgency-predominant urinaryincontinence and either normal or mildly impaired cognitive function at baseline.
Share medical data to advance understanding of incontinence in aging
The aim of this cross-sectional observational study is to examine the independent associations of urinary incontinence severity and post-void residual urine volume with frailty and other geriatric outcomes in older adults presenting to a urology outpatient clinic with urinary incontinence.
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