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Relaxing Environment to Lower Anxiety During Onabotulinum Toxin Chemodenervation of the Bladder

Relaxing Environment to Lower Anxiety During Onabotulinum Toxin Chemodenervation of the Bladder: RELAX Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06319898
Acronym
RELAX
Enrollment
113
Registered
2024-03-20
Start date
2024-05-22
Completion date
2024-08-12
Last updated
2025-04-22

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

Conditions

Anxiety, Burnout, Professional, Pain

Keywords

aromatherapy, bladder botox, anxiety, lavender

Brief summary

Chemodenervation of the bladder with onabotulinum toxin A is an effective treatment option for patients with refractory urgency urinary incontinence (UUI). It is often performed as an office-based procedure under local anesthesia. Alternatively, it can be performed in the operating room under general anesthesia. The ability to receive intra-detrusor chemodenervation in the office allows patients to avoid the risks associated with general anesthesia and is significantly more cost effective. The procedure, however, is painful and can be anxiety provoking for patients; especially given that patients typically return every six to nine months for repeat injections. Relaxation and distraction techniques are one way to ease patients' anxiety before an office-based procedure. While we do not know exactly how anxiety provoking office bladder chemodenervation is for patients, we do know that anxiety disorders are highly prevalent in women with overactive bladder as a population. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether women with Urge urinary incontinence (UUI) who receive office intra-detrusor chemodenervation injections performed in a relaxing environment of lavender aromatherapy, calming music, dim lighting, and modest positioning (Relaxing Environment Package) will have decreased anxiety and pain as well as increased post-procedure satisfaction compared to patients who receive chemodenervation in a typical office environment. Also investigate whether exposure to the relaxing environment impacts the well-being of staff involved in these procedures. This study design is a randomized control trial. Women scheduled for office intra-detrusor chemodenervation at Atrium Health women's Care Urogynecology & Pelvic Surgery - Mercy clinic will be invited to participate. Participants will be randomized to the relaxing environment package or the placebo group after informed consent is obtained and immediately before undergoing intra-detrusor chemodenervation. The participants will complete the pre-procedure visual analog scale (VAS) for anxiety and a VAS for pain at baseline.

Detailed description

Aside from randomization to relaxing environment package versus placebo, no procedures will be performed for study purposes that would not be normally performed in the clinical evaluation. Women scheduled for office intra-detrusor chemodenervation at Atrium Health women's Care Urogynecology & Pelvic Surgery - Mercy, Charlotte North Carolina, will be invited to participate. Participants who meet inclusion criteria will be randomized to the relaxing environment package or the placebo group after informed consent is obtained and immediately before undergoing intra-detrusor chemodenervation. Randomization of weeks rather than individual participants was selected to minimize impact to clinic flow. A permuted block randomization scheme will be used to assign weeks in a 1:1 ratio to intervention or control. After obtaining informed consent, all participants will fill out a baseline pre-procedural visual analog scale (VAS) for anxiety and a VAS for pain. Anxiety will be assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) If the week is randomized to a Relaxing Environment Package week, the patient, procedure staff, and MD will enter the procedure room and receive a lavender aromatherapy sticker to be worn on their lapels. Calming music from Sirius station 68 (Spa) will be playing softly in the background via overhead speakers. If the patient had planned to listen to their own music during the procedure, this will be permitted. The overhead lights will then be turned off, and two lanterns lit to provide dim lighting. Stirrups will be avoided if possible, during the preparation and procedure. If the week is randomized to Typical Office Environment, the patient, procedure staff, and MD will enter the procedure room and receive a non-aromatic (placebo) sticker to be worn on their lapels. No music will be playing, and all of the lights will be on as is typical in our practice. The lights may then be adjusted during cystoscopy per provider preference for adequate visualization. All patients will receive routine preprocedural antibiotic prophylaxis, sterile urethral preparation with betadine or chlorhexidine, and 60cc viscous intravesical 1% lidocaine. After sitting in the environment for at least 10 minutes while the local anesthetic takes effect, participants will fill out a 2nd VAS for anxiety. The standard bladder chemodenervation procedure will be performed, and any patient requested modifications to the protocol will be recorded. After the procedure and once participants are dressed, they will fill out a 2nd VAS for pain and a VAS for procedure satisfaction. The VAS for patient satisfaction is a validated scale ranging from 0-100mm. The procedure staff and MD will fill out the Burnout Battery visual analog scale for healthcare worker burnout at the start of the day before seeing any patients and again at the end of the day after seeing their last patient. This tool was created to assess the working energy states of healthcare providers and is correlated with the Maslach Burnout Inventory which is a validated 22 question survey regarding workplace burnout. They will also record how many chemodenervation procedures they participated in that day.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALLavender aromatherapy sticker

Lavender aromatherapy during procedure, music and dim lighting

Sponsors

Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* Non-pregnant females * Age 18 years and older * English as a primary language * Scheduled for office intra-detrusor chemodenervation for diagnosis of Over-Active Bladder (OAB)/ Urinary Urgency (UU)/ Urged Urinary Incontinence (UUI) * Baseline visual analog scale for anxiety ≥12mm

Exclusion criteria

* Allergy to lavender oil * Contraindication to intra-detrusor chemodenervation (active Urinary Tract Infection)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Mean Change in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Anxiety ScoresBaseline to Minute 30The VAS for anxiety is a validated scale that ranges from 0-100mm. 0mm is equivalent to no anxiety and is located on the left. 100mm is equivalent to extremely anxious and is located on the right. The minimum clinically important difference for VAS anxiety is a change of 12mm on a 100mm scale.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Mean Change in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Pain During the Chemodenervation ProcedureBaseline to post-procedure up to 2 hoursPain during the chemodenervation procedure will be assessed using a visual analog scale for pain. The VAS for pain is a validated scale that ranges from 0-100mm12. 0mm is equivalent to no pain and is located on the left. 100mm is equivalent to worst possible pain and is located on the right. Subjects are asked to circle a number on the scale that corresponds to their level of pain during the procedure. Baseline scores will be collected on the day of the procedure in the research office after obtaining consent. Patients will then be asked to circle the pain scores that corresponded to the pain experienced during the procedure. This will be collected by study staff after the procedure once the patient is dressed.
Procedure Staff Burnout Scores - Burnout Battery Visual Analog Scale for Healthcare Worker BurnoutBaseline to post-procedure up to 2 hoursDetermine if the Relaxing Environment Package decreases procedure staff burnout based on Burnout Battery visual analog scale for healthcare worker burnout. This tool was created to assess the working energy states of healthcare providers and is correlated with the Maslach Burnout Inventory which is a validated 22 question survey regarding workplace burnout14. The clinic staff assigned to chemodenervation procedures as well as the physician performing the procedure will fill out the Burnout Battery VAS at the beginning and end of the clinic day. Providers are asked to circle the battery that represents their current energy level.
Patient Satisfaction With Their Procedure Experience Scorespost procedure up to 2 hoursPatient satisfaction with their procedure experience will be assessed using a visual analog scale for patient satisfaction. The VAS for patient satisfaction is a validated scale ranging from 0-100mm. 0mm is equivalent to no satisfaction and 100mm is equivalent to extreme satisfaction. Subjects are asked to circle a number that corresponds to their level of satisfaction with their procedure experience.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Lavender Aromatherapy Sticker
Lavender aromatherapy sticker on patient Calming music from Sirius station 68 (Spa) playing via overhead speakers Overhead lights off, two lanterns lit to provide dim lighting Avoid stirrup use
40
Control - no Intervention
Non-aromatic (placebo) sticker on patient No music playing Overhead lights on Stirrups used
40
Procedure Team Intervention - Relaxing Environment
Lavender aromatherapy Calming music Overhead lights off
10
Procedure Team - no Intervention
Non-aromatic No music playing Overhead lights on
11
Total101

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicControl - no InterventionTotalLavender Aromatherapy StickerProcedure Team Intervention - Relaxing EnvironmentProcedure Team - no Intervention
Age, Continuous69.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.1
70.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.4
72.4 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.6
Anxiety diagnosis
no
30 Participants63 Participants33 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Anxiety diagnosis
yes
10 Participants17 Participants7 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Aromatherapy use
no
23 Participants66 Participants29 Participants6 Participants8 Participants
Aromatherapy use
yes
17 Participants35 Participants11 Participants4 Participants3 Participants
Body mass index30.9 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.6
30.2 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.1
29.6 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.7
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
40 Participants78 Participants38 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
First-time bladder chemodenervation experience
no
32 Participants63 Participants31 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
First-time bladder chemodenervation experience
yes
8 Participants17 Participants9 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Insurance type
Medicaid
2 Participants4 Participants2 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Insurance type
Medicare
29 Participants60 Participants31 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Insurance type
Private
9 Participants16 Participants7 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Pain medication use
no
27 Participants57 Participants30 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Pain medication use
yes
13 Participants23 Participants10 Participants0 Participants0 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
7 Participants11 Participants4 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants1 Participants1 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
33 Participants68 Participants35 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
40 Participants99 Participants40 Participants9 Participants10 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants2 Participants0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Tobacco use
Current smoker
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Tobacco use
Former smoker
16 Participants28 Participants12 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Tobacco use
Never smoker
23 Participants51 Participants28 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Years of Experience in current role9.94 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.98
7.53 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.24
10.41 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.3

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
EG003
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 400 / 400 / 100 / 11
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 400 / 400 / 100 / 11
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 400 / 400 / 100 / 11

Outcome results

Primary

Mean Change in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Anxiety Scores

The VAS for anxiety is a validated scale that ranges from 0-100mm. 0mm is equivalent to no anxiety and is located on the left. 100mm is equivalent to extremely anxious and is located on the right. The minimum clinically important difference for VAS anxiety is a change of 12mm on a 100mm scale.

Time frame: Baseline to Minute 30

Population: This Measurement was not collected from Procedure Team Members

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Lavender Aromatherapy StickerMean Change in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Anxiety Scores-13.8 mmStandard Deviation 18.1
Control - no InterventionMean Change in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Anxiety Scores-4.7 mmStandard Deviation 14.7
Secondary

Mean Change in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Pain During the Chemodenervation Procedure

Pain during the chemodenervation procedure will be assessed using a visual analog scale for pain. The VAS for pain is a validated scale that ranges from 0-100mm12. 0mm is equivalent to no pain and is located on the left. 100mm is equivalent to worst possible pain and is located on the right. Subjects are asked to circle a number on the scale that corresponds to their level of pain during the procedure. Baseline scores will be collected on the day of the procedure in the research office after obtaining consent. Patients will then be asked to circle the pain scores that corresponded to the pain experienced during the procedure. This will be collected by study staff after the procedure once the patient is dressed.

Time frame: Baseline to post-procedure up to 2 hours

Population: This measurement was not collected on Procedure Team Members

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Lavender Aromatherapy StickerMean Change in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Pain During the Chemodenervation Procedure0.0 mmStandard Deviation 23.4
Control - no InterventionMean Change in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Pain During the Chemodenervation Procedure3.7 mmStandard Deviation 31.5
Secondary

Patient Satisfaction With Their Procedure Experience Scores

Patient satisfaction with their procedure experience will be assessed using a visual analog scale for patient satisfaction. The VAS for patient satisfaction is a validated scale ranging from 0-100mm. 0mm is equivalent to no satisfaction and 100mm is equivalent to extreme satisfaction. Subjects are asked to circle a number that corresponds to their level of satisfaction with their procedure experience.

Time frame: post procedure up to 2 hours

Population: This Measurement was not collected from Procedure Team Members

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Lavender Aromatherapy StickerPatient Satisfaction With Their Procedure Experience Scores91.4 mmStandard Deviation 16.5
Control - no InterventionPatient Satisfaction With Their Procedure Experience Scores89.3 mmStandard Deviation 19
Secondary

Procedure Staff Burnout Scores - Burnout Battery Visual Analog Scale for Healthcare Worker Burnout

Determine if the Relaxing Environment Package decreases procedure staff burnout based on Burnout Battery visual analog scale for healthcare worker burnout. This tool was created to assess the working energy states of healthcare providers and is correlated with the Maslach Burnout Inventory which is a validated 22 question survey regarding workplace burnout14. The clinic staff assigned to chemodenervation procedures as well as the physician performing the procedure will fill out the Burnout Battery VAS at the beginning and end of the clinic day. Providers are asked to circle the battery that represents their current energy level.

Time frame: Baseline to post-procedure up to 2 hours

Population: This measurement was only collected for Procedure Team Members

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Procedure Team Intervention - Relaxing EnvironmentProcedure Staff Burnout Scores - Burnout Battery Visual Analog Scale for Healthcare Worker Burnout-1.73 mmStandard Deviation 1.78
Procedure Team Control - no InterventionProcedure Staff Burnout Scores - Burnout Battery Visual Analog Scale for Healthcare Worker Burnout1.31 mmStandard Deviation 1.53

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