Skip to content

Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS) Plus Mirabegron to Treat Refractory OAB Symptoms (PTNS-M Study)

Title: A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation in Combination With Mirabegron to Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation Plus Placebo in Women With Refractory OAB Symptoms

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04907032
Acronym
PTNS-M
Enrollment
54
Registered
2021-05-28
Start date
2021-10-01
Completion date
2023-04-15
Last updated
2023-07-20

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

Conditions

Overactive Bladder

Brief summary

Abstract Introduction: Urgency Urinary Incontinence (UUI) is a common condition with a prevalence of 9-31% in women in the United States. Despite current treatments, a high number of women have symptoms refractory to first- and second-line treatment approaches. Aims: The primary aim of this randomized controlled trial is to compare the efficacy of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) and mirabegron treatment versus PTNS with placebo on change in the number of UUI episodes over a 12-week treatment course. Secondary aims include comparing the efficacy of combined treatment of PTNS and mirabegron versus PTNS with placebo on improvement in urinary incontinence symptom specific distress and quality of life related to UUI over a 12-week course of PTNS. Methods: A total of 54 consented participants will be recruited and randomized with 27 patients in the PTNS with mirabegron (daily 50 mg dose for the 12-week course) group and 27 patients in the PTNS with placebo group. Demographics and baseline data will be analyzed by student's t-test and chi-squared test or Fischer's Exact test as appropriate. Hypothesis: We anticipate that combination therapy will prove superior to monotherapy for reducing the number of UUI episodes over a 12-week treatment course.

Detailed description

Specific Aims: Introduction/Background: Urgency Urinary Incontinence (UUI) remains a challenging clinical problem for urogynecologists as they treat women and seek to find better therapies. There is a wealth of literature addressing individual therapies for first, second, and third line treatments for UUI. There are three main third line treatment options for UUI including percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), sacral neuromodulation, and intradetrusor botox. At the current time, there are limited studies that have looked at a combination of second and third-line therapy therapies for UUI. While some anticholinergic medications have been studied in combination with percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) such as solifenacin, tolterodine, and trospium, there is limited data on the combination of mirabegron, a beta-3 agonist, and PTNS for treatment of refractory UUI. The studies that looked at anticholinergic medications in combination with PTNS revealed improvement in UUI compared to PTNS plus placebo. However, there are patients who do not tolerate anticholinergic medications well because of side effects. A relatively new finding as reported by the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) about avoiding anticholinergic medications in women greater than age 70 secondary to increased risk for cognitive impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease is further impetus to conduct this trial \[1\]. The rationale for studying mirabegron in combination with PTNS versus PTNS plus placebo is important as mirabegron does not have the significant side effect profile that anticholinergic medications have and better tolerated in the older population. Therefore, more research should be performed to evaluate the effect of the combination of mirabegron and PTNS for refractory UUI. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the combination of PTNS and mirabegron and compare that to PTNS plus placebo in the treatment of refractory UUI. Hypothesis: Combination therapy of PTNS and mirabegron, a beta-3 agonist, will contribute to greater improvement in the number of urgency urinary incontinence episodes as measured by a 3-day bladder diary compared to PTNS plus placebo in women. Method: This is a randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of combination therapy with PTNS plus mirabegron to PTNS plus placebo in women with refractory urgency urinary incontinence. Primary Aim: The primary aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of combined treatment of PTNS and mirabegron versus PTNS plus placebo on change in the number of UUI episodes at 12 weeks. Secondary Aims: * Comparing urinary symptom specific distress and quality of life over a 12-week course of PTNS. * Comparing the side effect/adverse event profile of combined treatment of PTNS and mirabegron versus PTNS plus placebo over a 12-week course of PTNS * Comparing the treatment efficacy and adverse events of combined treatment of PTNS and mirabegron versus PTNS plus placebo in women \> 70 years of age as a sub analysis within the study

Interventions

Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation with Mirabegron vs. Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation Plus Placebo

Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation with Mirabegron vs. Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation Plus Placebo

Sponsors

University of Alabama at Birmingham
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Female patients \> 18 years old at UAB facilities with refractory urgency urinary incontinence that have failed first line and second line treatments * Ability to consent * Ability to complete all study related items and interviews

Exclusion criteria

* Patients with a history of any known or determined urinary retention or urinary tract obstruction * PVR \> 150 ml in clinic prior to the start of PTNS * History of bladder augmentation surgery * Patients who are pregnant or who have the suspicion of pregnancy * Uncontrolled hypertension * Hypersensitivity to mirabegron * Superficial and/or deep skin infection where PTNS intervention is required * Spinal cord injury or clinically significant neurological disorders known to affect urgency urinary incontinence * Bleeding diathesis * Failure of previous third line treatment options such as sacral neuromodulation, PTNS, or Botox * Pacemaker, implantable defibrillator * Current use of Interstim sacral nerve stimulator or TENS in the pelvic region, back, or legs * Coagulopathy * Chronic swollen, infected, inflamed skin or skin eruptions (e.g., phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, varicose veins) in the region where the PTNS needles or surface electrodes would be placed * Metal implant in foot/toes near TENS electrode location * Marked sensory deficit (numbness) of feet or ankles in the region where the PTNS needles or surface electrodes would be placed * Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the course of the study * Unwilling to use acceptable form of contraceptive if the participant is of childbearing potential * Unable or unwilling to complete the 3-day bladder diary * Visual impairment prohibiting reading the paper diary * Inability to provide informed consent, complete questionnaires independently, or to attend intervention sessions * Unable to speak, read, or write in English

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in the Number of UUI Episodes Over a 3-day Voiding Diary Pre- vs. Post-treatment. This Includes a Baseline Measure Pre-trial and a Pos-trial Measure in 12 Weeks3 day voiding diary will be filled out prior to the 12 week PTNS trial and voiding diary will be filled out immediately after the 12 week PTNS trialchange in the number of urgency urinary incontinence episodes as measures by a 3-day voiding diary pre- vs. post-treatment. This includes a baseline measure pre-trial and then a post-trial measure in 12 weeks and then you calculate the difference. The difference between the two measures (baseline vs. post-trial) was then compared with a sample t test.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Symptom Distress as Measured by the Urinary Distress Index (UDI-6) Questionnaire Pre- (Baseline Measure) vs. Post-treatment (Post-trial Measure)12 weeksThis is a quality of life measure using a validated questionnaire called the Urinary Distress Index Scale with a range from 0-100 with higher scores meaning worse urinary distress such as urinary incontinence and leakage and bother with the life stresses related to urinary incontinence. Will include a baseline measure pre-trial and then a post-trial measure (post-trial). This includes a pre-trial measure (baseline) and a post-trial measure and then a calculation of the difference. The difference between the two measures (baseline vs. post-trial) was then compared with a sample t test.
Change in UUI (Urge Urinary Incontinence)/OAB (Overactive Bladder) Quality of Life as Measured by the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire Short Form (IIQ-7) Questionnaire Pre- (Baseline Measure) vs. Post-treatment (Post-trial Measure in 12 Weeks)pre-trial 0-100 scale measurement and then 12 weeks later post-trial measurement 0-100 with higher scores meaning worse impact.The IIQ-7 (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire) is a measure of distress caused by urge urinary incontinence and overactive bladder in the patient. This scale is a scale of 0-100 with 0 being minimal impact and 100 being worse impact and distress. This includes a baseline pre-trial measure and a post-trial measure at 12 weeks. This includes a pre-trial measure (baseline) and then a post-trial measure and then a calculation of the difference. The difference between the two measures (baseline vs. post-trial) was then compared with a sample t test.
Change in UUI (Urge Urinary Incontinence)/OAB (Overactive Bladder) Quality of Life as Measured by the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire-Short Form (OAB-q SF) Questionnaire Pre- (Baseline Measure) vs. Post-treatment (Post-trial Measure)pre trial measurements as described and then 12 weeks later post-trial measurements as described.This is the change in Quality of life measure for urge urinary incontinence for the OABq SF scale and it is a 0-100 scale where 0 equals minimum symptoms and 100 equals maximal symptoms. Lower scores indicate better quality of life and higher scores indicate worse quality of life. This includes a pre-trial measure and a post-trial measure at 12 weeks and then a calculation of the difference. The difference between the two measures (baseline vs. post-trial) was then compared with a sample t test.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

October 2021 to April 2023

Pre-assignment details

54 subjects were randomized and participated in the informed consent process. 7 subjects in the mirabegron plus posterior tibial nerve stimulation arm did not complete the study because they did not comply with showing up for all 12 study visits. There was 1 subject in the placebo to match plus posterior tibial nerve stimulation group who did not complete the study for the same reason.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation With Mirabegron
One arm of the study will receive PTNS combined with mirabegron. In the PTNS with mirabegron arm, the patient will take a 50 mg dose daily for 12 weeks of the trial. This arm of the study will have 27 patients randomized to this arm of the study. The percutaneous approach entails insertion of a 36-gauge needle electrode at a 60 degree angle approximately 5 cm or 3 finger breadths cephalad to the medial malleolus and posterior to the tibia. A portable electrical stimulator delivers an adjustable current in the range of 0.5-9 mA. The generators commonly are set for a pulse frequency of 20 Hz with a goal of creating a motor and/or sensory response in the foot. The stimulation sessions last for 30 min once per week for 12 continuous weeks. Mirabegron 50 MG: Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation with Mirabegron vs. Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation Plus Placebo Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS): Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation with Mirabegron vs. Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation Plus Placebo
27
Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation Plus Placebo
The other arm of the study will receive PTNS with placebo. In the PTNS with placebo arm, the patient will receive a placebo daily during the 12-week trial. PTNS will be performed as described: The percutaneous approach entails insertion of a 36-gauge needle electrode at a 60 degree angle approximately 5 cm or 3 finger breadths cephalad to the medial malleolus and posterior to the tibia. A portable electrical stimulator delivers an adjustable current in the range of 0.5-9 mA. The generators commonly are set for a pulse frequency of 20 Hz with a goal of creating a motor and/or sensory response in the foot. The stimulation sessions last for 30 min once per week for 12 continuous weeks. Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS): Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation with Mirabegron vs. Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation Plus Placebo
27
Total54

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject71

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicPosterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation With MirabegronTotalPosterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation Plus Placebo
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
6 Participants15 Participants9 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
21 Participants39 Participants18 Participants
Age, Continuous55.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16.7
56.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.6
56.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.7
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Black or African
13 Participants26 Participants13 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
White
14 Participants28 Participants14 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
13 Participants26 Participants13 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
14 Participants28 Participants14 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
27 participants54 participants27 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
27 Participants54 Participants27 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 / 270 / 27
other
Total, other adverse events
6 / 276 / 27
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 270 / 27

Outcome results

Primary

Change in the Number of UUI Episodes Over a 3-day Voiding Diary Pre- vs. Post-treatment. This Includes a Baseline Measure Pre-trial and a Pos-trial Measure in 12 Weeks

change in the number of urgency urinary incontinence episodes as measures by a 3-day voiding diary pre- vs. post-treatment. This includes a baseline measure pre-trial and then a post-trial measure in 12 weeks and then you calculate the difference. The difference between the two measures (baseline vs. post-trial) was then compared with a sample t test.

Time frame: 3 day voiding diary will be filled out prior to the 12 week PTNS trial and voiding diary will be filled out immediately after the 12 week PTNS trial

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation With MirabegronChange in the Number of UUI Episodes Over a 3-day Voiding Diary Pre- vs. Post-treatment. This Includes a Baseline Measure Pre-trial and a Pos-trial Measure in 12 Weeks9.4 UUI episodesStandard Deviation 3.9
Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation Plus PlaceboChange in the Number of UUI Episodes Over a 3-day Voiding Diary Pre- vs. Post-treatment. This Includes a Baseline Measure Pre-trial and a Pos-trial Measure in 12 Weeks5.3 UUI episodesStandard Deviation 5.4
Secondary

Change in Symptom Distress as Measured by the Urinary Distress Index (UDI-6) Questionnaire Pre- (Baseline Measure) vs. Post-treatment (Post-trial Measure)

This is a quality of life measure using a validated questionnaire called the Urinary Distress Index Scale with a range from 0-100 with higher scores meaning worse urinary distress such as urinary incontinence and leakage and bother with the life stresses related to urinary incontinence. Will include a baseline measure pre-trial and then a post-trial measure (post-trial). This includes a pre-trial measure (baseline) and a post-trial measure and then a calculation of the difference. The difference between the two measures (baseline vs. post-trial) was then compared with a sample t test.

Time frame: 12 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation With MirabegronChange in Symptom Distress as Measured by the Urinary Distress Index (UDI-6) Questionnaire Pre- (Baseline Measure) vs. Post-treatment (Post-trial Measure)23.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 12.9
Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation Plus PlaceboChange in Symptom Distress as Measured by the Urinary Distress Index (UDI-6) Questionnaire Pre- (Baseline Measure) vs. Post-treatment (Post-trial Measure)16.3 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 14
Secondary

Change in UUI (Urge Urinary Incontinence)/OAB (Overactive Bladder) Quality of Life as Measured by the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire Short Form (IIQ-7) Questionnaire Pre- (Baseline Measure) vs. Post-treatment (Post-trial Measure in 12 Weeks)

The IIQ-7 (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire) is a measure of distress caused by urge urinary incontinence and overactive bladder in the patient. This scale is a scale of 0-100 with 0 being minimal impact and 100 being worse impact and distress. This includes a baseline pre-trial measure and a post-trial measure at 12 weeks. This includes a pre-trial measure (baseline) and then a post-trial measure and then a calculation of the difference. The difference between the two measures (baseline vs. post-trial) was then compared with a sample t test.

Time frame: pre-trial 0-100 scale measurement and then 12 weeks later post-trial measurement 0-100 with higher scores meaning worse impact.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation With MirabegronChange in UUI (Urge Urinary Incontinence)/OAB (Overactive Bladder) Quality of Life as Measured by the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire Short Form (IIQ-7) Questionnaire Pre- (Baseline Measure) vs. Post-treatment (Post-trial Measure in 12 Weeks)29.7 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 17.4
Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation Plus PlaceboChange in UUI (Urge Urinary Incontinence)/OAB (Overactive Bladder) Quality of Life as Measured by the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire Short Form (IIQ-7) Questionnaire Pre- (Baseline Measure) vs. Post-treatment (Post-trial Measure in 12 Weeks)20.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 17.6
Secondary

Change in UUI (Urge Urinary Incontinence)/OAB (Overactive Bladder) Quality of Life as Measured by the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire-Short Form (OAB-q SF) Questionnaire Pre- (Baseline Measure) vs. Post-treatment (Post-trial Measure)

This is the change in Quality of life measure for urge urinary incontinence for the OABq SF scale and it is a 0-100 scale where 0 equals minimum symptoms and 100 equals maximal symptoms. Lower scores indicate better quality of life and higher scores indicate worse quality of life. This includes a pre-trial measure and a post-trial measure at 12 weeks and then a calculation of the difference. The difference between the two measures (baseline vs. post-trial) was then compared with a sample t test.

Time frame: pre trial measurements as described and then 12 weeks later post-trial measurements as described.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation With MirabegronChange in UUI (Urge Urinary Incontinence)/OAB (Overactive Bladder) Quality of Life as Measured by the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire-Short Form (OAB-q SF) Questionnaire Pre- (Baseline Measure) vs. Post-treatment (Post-trial Measure)53.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 30
Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation Plus PlaceboChange in UUI (Urge Urinary Incontinence)/OAB (Overactive Bladder) Quality of Life as Measured by the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire-Short Form (OAB-q SF) Questionnaire Pre- (Baseline Measure) vs. Post-treatment (Post-trial Measure)33.3 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 35.7

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