Less botox, same relief? new study tests lower dose for bladder leaks in women over 70
NCT ID NCT05512039
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at whether a lower dose of Botox injected into the bladder can effectively treat urgent, frequent bladder leaks in women aged 70 and older. The goal is to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life while possibly causing fewer side effects than the standard dose. About 376 women will participate, and researchers will also analyze costs and patient experiences.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
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About 376 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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May 2023
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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70 years and older
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Adult female at least 70 years old at date of enrollment 2. Urgency urinary incontinence (urge incontinence \> stress incontinence per screening criteria) 3. On average 2 or more urgency or insensible incontinence episodes per day per patient report 4. Refractory urinary urgency incontinence, defined as 1. Persistent symptoms despite trial of one or more conservative treatments (e.g. behavioral therapy, physical therapy, home Kegel exercises); participants not required to have attempted first line therapies if deemed not feasible or appropriate by provider with input of participant/caregiver. 2. Persistent symptoms despite the use of anticholinergic and/or beta-3 agonist medication; or inability to tolerate medication due to side effects, or has a contraindication to taking medication, or is unable to afford the cost of the medication. 5. Currently not on an anticholinergic or beta-3 agonist medication or is willing to stop medication for 3 weeks prior to completing baseline bladder tally, with plan to remain off medication through duration of the study. Currently not actively using sacral neuromodulation therapy (either has not tried, or unit has been off for 4 weeks prior to baseline bladder tally and will remain turned off for the duration of the study). It is permissible for participants to continue self-led conservative therapies during participation in the study, including Kegel exercises, avoidance of bladder irritants, and urge suppression. 6. Willing and able to complete all study-related items, with assistance of caregiver(s) if needed. 7. Demonstrates awareness of possible need for catheterization in event of post-injection urinary retention \& acknowledges risks of catheterization. Participant does not need to demonstrate ability to perform self-catheterization. 8. Grossly neurologically normal on exam and no gross systemic neurologic conditions believed to affect urinary function. Patients with a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease or diabetes may be eligible provided they have a grossly normal neurologic exam and otherwise fulfill the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Lack of capacity to provide consent. Will be assessed if needed per judgment of the site PI and study staff, with use of optional questionnaire. 2. Baseline persistently elevated post-void residual \[PVR\] (\>150mL on 2 occasions in the 6 weeks prior to enrollment). If the PVR was obtained via bladder scanner with measurements differing by more than 100mL, or if there is concern about the accuracy of the scanner, it will be confirmed via catheterization which will be considered the gold standard. 3. Need for BTX injection to take place in the Operating Room or under sedation. (Of note, for repeat injection under the protocol, patients may have OR injection if indicated due to pain with initial BTX injection.) 4. Previous treatment with intravesical BTX in the last 12 months or use of sacral neuromodulation therapy within the past 4 weeks (unit may remain implanted, but should remain off for duration of the study). 5. Untreated symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI). Eligible once UTI treatment complete and symptoms resolved. 6. Known bladder abnormality, including current or prior bladder malignancy, carcinoma in situ or untreatable cystitis (e.g. eosinophilic cystitis); prior major bladder surgery that would alter the detrusor muscle, such as augmentation cystoplasty; or hematuria that has not been evaluated. 7. Neurogenic detrusor overactivity or neurologic disease that may impact bladder function, including stroke, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, spinal cord injury. Conditions such as Parkinson's disease and diabetes are acceptable provided normal bladder emptying and grossly normal neurologic function. 8. Concurrent BTX use for other indication, participants cannot exceed 300 units BTX in a 3 month period. Participants who may have conflict between study BTX administration and administration for other purposes may be excluded from participation if there is concern that study drug administration will be compromised. Concurrent use of BTX for another indication that would not exceed 300 units in a 3 month period, or that can have time of administration of the other BTX adjusted to avoid excessive dose, is acceptable; for instance, for migraines. 9. Greater than stage 2 pelvic floor prolapse, uncorrected or persistent despite pessary use (leading edge of prolapse not greater than 1cm beyond the hymen). Ongoing pessary use is permissible. Patients may have had a prior repair for pelvic organ prolapse. (see chart review of recent exam or perform brief exam while collecting post-void residual) 10. Planned prolapse or stress incontinence surgery; would defer enrollment to \>3 months post-operative. 11. Allergy or intolerance to lidocaine or BTX. 12. Participation in another research study that could conflict with the RELIEF study, in estimation of the site PI.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Lebanon, New Hampshire, 03766, United States
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Kaiser Permanente Medical Group
San Diego, California, 92110, United States
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Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, Oregon, 97239, United States
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University of Alabama - Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, 35233, United States
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University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska, 68198, United States
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University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States
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University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Diabetes drug class may change how the bladder behaves
- Botox vs. blood plasma: which works better for a bladder that Won't quit?
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