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Continence Pessary Versus Disposable Intravaginal Device Trial

A Comparison of Continence Pessary to a Disposable Intravaginal Device in the Management of Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03174431
Enrollment
50
Registered
2017-06-02
Start date
2017-08-01
Completion date
2021-06-01
Last updated
2024-02-23

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Female Stress Incontinence

Brief summary

This is a multi-centered randomized controlled trial of women with stress urinary incontinence or stress predominant mixed urinary incontinence who desire non-surgical therapy.

Detailed description

In this randomized trial, eligible patients who provide written consent for participation will be enrolled. At enrollment we will collect baseline demographic data and ask participants to complete questionnaires and a 3-day bladder diary. Subjects will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to continence pessary or disposable intravaginal device.

Interventions

DEVICEContinence Pessary

Continence pessaries are inexpensive, reusable intravaginal devices made of flexible silicon that provide support to the urethra to prevent urinary leakage. Continence pessaries are fitted by trained clinicians in the office and managed by patients or their provider.

DEVICEPoise Impressa (Disposable Intravaginal Device)

In 2014, the FDA approved an over-the-counter disposable intravaginal device as another nonsurgical treatment for SUI. This device is comprised of 4 support poles covered in a non-absorbable nylon mesh that is deployed using an intravaginal applicator.

Sponsors

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
CollaboratorOTHER
Ohio State University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

parallel group design with participants randomized to either DICD or CP (active treatment concurrent control) in a 1:1 allocation ratio for a 4-week treatment period followed by a six-month phone call follow-up to assess continued use and other treatment utilization after the initial study treatment phase.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
21 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age 21 years or older (based on disposable intravaginal device manufacturing recommendations). * SUI or SUI-predominant mixed incontinence * English-speaking

Exclusion criteria

* Pregnancy * Current symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI). * Postmenopausal bleeding of unknown etiology * Neurogenic bladder * Urinary retention (PVR \>150mL obtained via bladder scan or catheterization) * Pelvic organ prolapse past the hymen as assessed by POP-Q examination * Inability to complete questionnaires in English or comply with study protocol * Contraindication to pessary or disposable intravaginal device use or prior treatment or experience with either intervention. * Prior surgery for stress urinary incontinence

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Treatment Success4 weeksSuccess of stress urinary incontinence treatment is defined as a response of very much better or much better on the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Validated Questionnaires4 weeksValidated questionnaire scores obtained at baseline and week 4 with all questionnaires having higher scores indicating higher level of bother: 1. Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI-6): 6 questions measuring urinary incontinence symptom bother. Scale: 0-600. 2. Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7): 7 questions measuring functional impact of urinary incontinence. Scale: 0-100. 3. Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) : 19 items use a 5-point Likert scale (1-5) to assess sexual functioning in women in 6 domains (Desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, pain). Sum of each domain is multiplied by a factor ratio (0.6: desire; 0.3: arousal and lubrication; 0.4: orgasm, satisfaction, and pain) to have all domain totals on a comparable scale. Score ranges for each domain: 1. Desire: 1.2- 6 2. Arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and pain: 0- 6 3. Satisfaction: 0.8- 6 They are then summed to derive a total FSFI score of 2- 36.
Satisfaction With Device4 weeksSatisfaction with device will be assessed using likert scale questionnaires assessing device satisfaction, ease of use, comfort, and likelihood of continued use at 4 weeks.
Adverse Events4 weeksPotential adverse events of interest include vaginal discomfort, vaginal bleeding, vaginal infection, vaginal abrasion/laceration, and urinary tract infection (UTI)
6 Month Follow up6 months6 month intervention use and satisfaction with following questions as yes or no: 1. Still using device 2. Using other SUI treatment ( pessary, physical therapy) 3. Satisfied with treatment

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Pre-assignment details

Exclusion criteria were pregnancy, current urinary tract infection (UTI), postmenopausal bleeding, neurogenic bladder, urinary retention, pelvic organ prolapse past the hymen, contraindication to device use, prior treatment with either device, and prior surgery for SUI. Women excluded for a current symptomatic UTI were eligible for enrollment after treatment was completed and a negative urine culture was obtained.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Continence Pessary
Participants randomized to the continence pessary will be fitted for a pessary by a clinician at enrollment and they will be taught how to remove and reinsert the device. Per usual clinical practice they will be instructed to call with any concerns and scheduled for a return visit in 2 weeks for a follow-up to assess fit and comfort and undergo refitting if necessary. Continence Pessary: Continence pessaries are inexpensive, reusable intravaginal devices made of flexible silicon that provide support to the urethra to prevent urinary leakage. Continence pessaries are fitted by trained clinicians in the office and managed by patients or their provider.
25
Disposable Intravaginal Device
Participants randomized to the intravaginal device will be given a sizing kit in the office, asked to select a size and provided with a 2-week supply of the appropriately sized devices. In accordance with manufacturer guidelines, participants will be instructed that the device is to be used for no more than 8 hours per 24-hour period and that each device is single use only. Participants will return in 2 weeks for a follow-up visit to assess fit and comfort, undergo resizing as necessary and receive an additional 2 week supply of the appropriately sized devices. Poise Impressa (Disposable Intravaginal Device): In 2014, the FDA approved an over-the-counter disposable intravaginal device as another nonsurgical treatment for SUI. This device is comprised of 4 support poles covered in a non-absorbable nylon mesh that is deployed using an intravaginal applicator.
25
Total50

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall Studyalternative treatment20
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up15
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject1411

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicDisposable Intravaginal DeviceTotalContinence Pessary
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
25 Participants50 Participants25 Participants
Age, Continuous41 years44 years47 years
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected0 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
25 Participants50 Participants25 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
25 Participants50 Participants25 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 250 / 25
other
Total, other adverse events
1 / 250 / 25
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 250 / 25

Outcome results

Primary

Treatment Success

Success of stress urinary incontinence treatment is defined as a response of very much better or much better on the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I).

Time frame: 4 weeks

Population: Discrepancy in analyzed numbers is secondary to patients either withdrawing from study, lost to follow up, or choosing alternative treatment.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Continence PessaryTreatment Success8 Participants
Disposable Intravaginal DeviceTreatment Success9 Participants
Secondary

6 Month Follow up

6 month intervention use and satisfaction with following questions as yes or no: 1. Still using device 2. Using other SUI treatment ( pessary, physical therapy) 3. Satisfied with treatment

Time frame: 6 months

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Continence Pessary6 Month Follow upStill using device5 Participants
Continence Pessary6 Month Follow upUsing Pessary0 Participants
Continence Pessary6 Month Follow upPhysical therapy0 Participants
Continence Pessary6 Month Follow upSatisfied with treatment4 Participants
Disposable Intravaginal Device6 Month Follow upSatisfied with treatment5 Participants
Disposable Intravaginal Device6 Month Follow upStill using device4 Participants
Disposable Intravaginal Device6 Month Follow upPhysical therapy1 Participants
Disposable Intravaginal Device6 Month Follow upUsing Pessary2 Participants
Secondary

Adverse Events

Potential adverse events of interest include vaginal discomfort, vaginal bleeding, vaginal infection, vaginal abrasion/laceration, and urinary tract infection (UTI)

Time frame: 4 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Continence PessaryAdverse Events1 Participants
Disposable Intravaginal DeviceAdverse Events0 Participants
Secondary

Satisfaction With Device

Satisfaction with device will be assessed using likert scale questionnaires assessing device satisfaction, ease of use, comfort, and likelihood of continued use at 4 weeks.

Time frame: 4 weeks

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
Continence PessarySatisfaction With DeviceHigh likely to continue using8 participants
Continence PessarySatisfaction With DeviceSatisfied with device5 participants
Continence PessarySatisfaction With DeviceDevice is comfortable7 participants
Continence PessarySatisfaction With DeviceDevice is easy to use8 participants
Disposable Intravaginal DeviceSatisfaction With DeviceDevice is easy to use12 participants
Disposable Intravaginal DeviceSatisfaction With DeviceHigh likely to continue using7 participants
Disposable Intravaginal DeviceSatisfaction With DeviceDevice is comfortable10 participants
Disposable Intravaginal DeviceSatisfaction With DeviceSatisfied with device4 participants
Secondary

Validated Questionnaires

Validated questionnaire scores obtained at baseline and week 4 with all questionnaires having higher scores indicating higher level of bother: 1. Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI-6): 6 questions measuring urinary incontinence symptom bother. Scale: 0-600. 2. Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7): 7 questions measuring functional impact of urinary incontinence. Scale: 0-100. 3. Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) : 19 items use a 5-point Likert scale (1-5) to assess sexual functioning in women in 6 domains (Desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, pain). Sum of each domain is multiplied by a factor ratio (0.6: desire; 0.3: arousal and lubrication; 0.4: orgasm, satisfaction, and pain) to have all domain totals on a comparable scale. Score ranges for each domain: 1. Desire: 1.2- 6 2. Arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and pain: 0- 6 3. Satisfaction: 0.8- 6 They are then summed to derive a total FSFI score of 2- 36.

Time frame: 4 weeks

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Continence PessaryValidated QuestionnairesUDI-6110 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 135
Continence PessaryValidated QuestionnairesIIQ-710 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 30
Continence PessaryValidated QuestionnairesFSFI-1 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0
Disposable Intravaginal DeviceValidated QuestionnairesUDI-671 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 105
Disposable Intravaginal DeviceValidated QuestionnairesIIQ-77 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 12
Disposable Intravaginal DeviceValidated QuestionnairesFSFI1 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026