Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

Incontinence and Quality of Life in Children With Spina Bifida

United States67 participantsStarted 2019-12-01

Plain-language summary

This study aims to develop an innovative, interactive tool for joint use by spina bifida patients and their urologists to identify patients interested in addressing their urinary and fecal incontinence and establish continence goal(s) they would like to achieve. To date, no such tool exists for use by spina bifida patients or urologists. This represents a major paradigm shift in the urologic care of pediatric SB patients. It will give children and families a voice in setting their personal goals for urinary and fecal incontinence, rather than relying on physicians' traditional clinical targets (e.g., absence of urinary incontinence, 4-hour dry interval). These traditional views fail to reflect the full patient experience of their ailment by underestimating symptoms and prioritizing only the most severe. This study represents the first time that such a process will be formalized before initiating urological therapy in children with SB (Aim 2). Additionally, this tool may help rule out interventions with a low chance of achieving desired goals and allow for a recalibration of unrealistic goals. The app will be useful for any child, regardless of urinary and fecal incontinence treatment history or underlying bladder pathology, as it will help describe personalized clinical treatment goals based on urinary incontinence, a characteristic all these patients share. This study will also capture the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) impact of urinary and fecal incontinence improvement regardless of the treatment, whether behavioral, medical or surgical, many of which are available to patients regardless of age. A systematic therapeutic goal-setting tool will help in bringing precision medicine to the SB population.

Who can participate

Age range

8 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Spina bifida * 8-17 years old * Followed at Riley Hospital Pediatric Urology Outpatient Clinic * Primary caregiver is patient's legal guardian * Urinary incontinence in the past 4 weeks * Fecal incontinence in the past 4 weeks * Normal to mildly impaired cognitive development * English language literacy * Intent to receive care at the Riley Pediatric Urology Clinic for th extent of the study The physician panel will be composed of pediatric urologists. Exclusion Criteria: * Children with significant cognitive impairment, as they will not be able to express their urinary and fecal incontinence goals. * Patients who underwent a genitourinary procedure or a bowel procedure in the past 4 weeks, since these patients are often temporarily catheterized and therefore not experiencing their typical level of urinary and fecal incontinence.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

SB-specific HRQOL

Timeframe: 2 years

Trial details

NCT IDNCT03410667

SponsorIndiana University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-03-15

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Spina Bifida trials