Examining Bladder Control Using Mindful Based Approach

Assessing the Therapeutic Effect of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Intervention in Women With Urgency Incontinence Using Advanced Brain Imaging

Urgency Incontinence (where the bladder muscles contract suddenly, causing an immediate urge to urinate that is difficult to prevent) is commonly experienced in patients with overactive bladder. New findings have discovered that urgency incontinence may be connected to the interactions of certain regions of the brain and the bladder. Although this is a common problem, researched still do not know how these interactions impact the process of urgency incontinence. Furthermore, there is preliminary data to suggest that interventions such as Mindful-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) can potentially be used as therapy for UI. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact MBSR training on UI symptoms, quality of life, and anxiety measures.

Urgency Incontinence (where the bladder muscles contract suddenly, causing an immediate urge to urinate that is difficult to prevent) is commonly experienced in patients with overactive bladder. New findings have discovered that urgency incontinence may be connected to the interactions of certain regions of the brain and the bladder. Although this is a common problem, researched still do not know how these interactions impact the process of urgency incontinence. Furthermore, there is preliminary data to suggest that interventions such as Mindful-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) can potentially be used as therapy for UI. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact MBSR training on UI symptoms, quality of life, and anxiety measures.

To determine the impact of MBSR training on Urinary Incontinence(UI) symptoms, quality of life and anxiety measures in women affected with UI. We hypothesize that participants will have significant improvement in UI and anxiety related symptoms and quality of life measures.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female participants with urinary urgency incontinence
• 40-85 years of age without a history of incontinence surgery
• current overactive bladder symptoms including urgency and urgency incontinence daily for the previous three months
• willing and able to complete all study related measures

Exclusion Criteria:

• medical contraindications for MRI scanning
• past or present overt neurological disease
• history of pelvic irradiation or bladder cancer
• current urinary tract infection
• current pelvic pain or painful bladder disorder
• symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse
• anticholinergic medication use within 2 weeks of baseline assessments
• past nonpharmacologic treatment for UI
• history of structured mindfulness based course or therapy