Sleep and Bladder Study – Females Aged 60 and Up

STUDY BASICS

Are you female and aged 60 or older? Do you experience "overactive bladder" and urinary urge incontinence (a sudden, strong urge to urinate that results in urine leakage)? Do you get up at least twice per night to empty your bladder? You may be able to be in a research study to help better understand the relationship between the brain and the bladder. Compensation is provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

Urinary incontinence is the accidental release of urine. One common type is called urge incontinence, which causes a need to urinate that is so sudden and strong that you can't reach the bathroom in time. This can also interrupt sleep. 

The purpose of this study is to better understand the relationship between the brain, the bladder and sleep in people who are taking study-provided bladder-control medication and receive a behavioral sleep intervention. 

Researchers hope their findings will lead to better treatments for women with urinary incontinence and poor sleep in the future. 

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Women age 60 and up
• Experience "overactive bladder" or urinary urge incontinence (a sudden, strong urge to urinate that results in urine leakage) at least 5 times per week
• Get up at least twice a night to urinate 
• Willing and able to undergo MRI scanning (not claustrophobic)

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Participation involves five in-person visits. During the first visit, participants will answer questions. During the second visit, participants will have an MRI scan while their bladder is filled by a catheter. MRI scans are not invasive and do not use radiation. Participants will then be given an FDA-approved study drug for incontinence. After four weeks, some participants will also receive behavioral training to improve sleep. After eight weeks all participants will have another MRI. Participants will be asked to measure their sleep and bladder habits two times during the study and once 6 months after the study.