Your voice matters. By participating in a research study, you can help improve care and treatments for pelvic floor disorders like incontinence and prolapse. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been managing symptoms for years, your experience can make a difference. Learn how you can get involved in ongoing studies and be part of the future of pelvic health.
What is Urgency Urinary Incontinence?
Urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) is a sudden, strong urge to urinate that is hard to stop. Women with this type of incontinence may leak urine on the way to the bathroom, and some may have nighttime problems. It is a common condition in women that can have a negative effect on their quality of life. UUI tends to affect people of older age, and with the aging US population it represents an important public health issue.
Beta-Agonist versus Botox A® Trial for Urgency Urinary Incontinence (BEST) Trial: Therapy for Urge Urinary Incontinence
The purpose of this study is to fill the evidence gap with direct-comparison data on patient-important efficacy and safety outcomes between an oral medication (Mirabegron or Vibegron) versus Botox A® in the treatment of UUI.
Mirabegron and Vibegron are both oral medications that causes bladder muscle relaxation, decreasing UUI.
Botox A® injections in the bladder lessens UUI by decreasing bladder contractions
Mirabegron, Vibegron, and Botox A® are US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for the treatment of UUI
How can I participate?
You may be able to participate based on meeting the following study criteria:
- Women 18 years or older
- Are not and do not plan to become pregnant during the trial
- Have tried anticholinergic medication in the past without improvement
Will I be compensated?
You will be compensated up to $425 for your participation. $50 for the baseline visit and for the completion of the 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-up visits and $100 for the 3-month visit, and $125 for treatment initiation. Most visits can be conducted by phone.
All clinic visits for both oral medications and Botox A® go through normal clinical care and your health insurance.
Contact information:
If you are interested in learning more about this study and to find out if you are able to participate, please contact a member of the research team:
Leah McKay, Senior Research Assistant: (401) 430-8207
Ann Escher, Research Supervisor: (401) 430-8228 Denisses Cortorreal, Community Liaison: (401) 430-8226 (habla Español), [email protected]
RELIEF Study
Does urinary leaking control your life?
The RELIEF (Reduced dose BOTOX© for urgency urinary incontinence among older women) study is looking to improve treatment of urgency urinary leaking in older women by comparing two doses of bladder BOTOX© treatment.
We are now recruiting women 70+ to participate in a 15-month study to compare 50 units and 100 units of bladder BOTOX©. As part of this study, you will be asked to: Complete several questionnaires about your medical history, including questions about your overactive bladder and incontinence history. You may also be invited to participate in a one-on-one interview where we would ask you questions about your experiences.
Participants must:
- Be 70 or older
- Have moderate to severe urgency incontinence
- Have health insurance that can cover BOTOX© treatment (we can help you figure this out!)
- Come in person to one of our 6 research sites
- Be willing to complete surveys and comply with study procedures
Participants must NOT:
- Have had BOTOX© in the last year
- Have severe difficulty emptying the bladder, or ‘neurogenic bladder’.
If you are interested in participating or want to learn more about the study, please reach out to the site nearest you.