Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07000656

Micturition Desire-Relaxation Training Device for Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction in Children

Urine storage and voiding are fundamental physiological processes. In clinical settings, many cases of lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) are closely associated with abnormal conditioned reflexes formed in the central nervous system during the urine storage or voiding phases. Relaxation, as a core physiological and psychological state, has been shown to promote effective urine storage and facilitate smooth voiding. By repeatedly training individuals to establish a new conditioned reflex linking the sensation of urinary urgency with a state of relaxation, it may be possible to improve bladder storage capacity and voiding function. Based on this concept, the investigators have developed the world's first Micturition Desire-Relaxation Training Device (Chinese Patent No.: ZL 2020 1 0397789.4). This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of this device in treating LUTD in children.

Recruiting

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Age range

5 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Micturition Desire-Relaxation Training

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200122, China

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

About this study

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the Micturition Desire-Relaxation Training Device in managing LUTD in children over a six-month period. A stratified block randomization method will be used, matching participants based on sex, age, and enuresis frequency. Eligible participants will be stratified by sex and age, and then randomly assigned (1:1) to either the intervention group or the sham intervention group using a computer-generated sequence. This method ensures group balance regarding baseline characteristics and enuresis severity.

In the intervention group, baseline voiding diaries will be completed prior to initiating training. The first session will be supervised by trained medical personnel, during which participants and caregivers will receive standardized instruction in device usage and bladder relaxation techniques. Each session will last approximately 10 minutes and will be conducted 3-4 times during the initial instructional phase. The device will then be provided for home use at no cost. Caregivers will receive remote support from study physicians during the intervention period. Home-based training will include 5-10 sessions per day, each lasting 10 minutes. Daily records-including images of urine output, session duration, and any adverse events-will be uploaded to a secure cloud platform for physician review. The intervention will continue for 8 weeks. Monthly records of fluid intake and voiding behavior will be maintained throughout the study. Follow-up assessments, including voiding diaries and enuresis questionnaires, will be performed at 3 and 6 months post-intervention to assess recurrence and long-term outcomes.

The sham group will follow identical baseline and training schedules; however, the device will remain inactive during each session. After 4 weeks, participants in this group will submit fluid intake and voiding records.

Primary outcome measures include the enuresis improvement rate, frequency of daytime urinary incontinence, and total number of voiding episodes within 24 hours. Secondary outcomes will include: scores for the micturition desire-awakening function, timing of enuresis events, bedtime and wake time, standardized bladder capacity, bladder variability rate, behavioral responses during incontinence, psychological/behavioral characteristics, and enuresis recurrence.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Diagnosis according to the ICCS criteria:

For nocturnal enuresis:

At least one episode of involuntary nighttime urination per month for more than 3 months.

No abnormalities in routine urinalysis. No period of bedwetting-free days lasting more than 6 months, except for organic diseases.

For daytime urinary incontinence:

At least one episode of intermittent urinary leakage during wakefulness per month for more than 3 months.

No anatomical or neurological causes of urinary incontinence.

For urinary frequency:

The child experiences only urinary frequency and urgency, occurring during the day and before sleep, with intervals ranging from a few minutes to 1 hour. Each urination involves a small volume, less than 50% of the estimated bladder capacity [EBC (mL) = 30 + (age × 30)], typically less than 30 mL, sometimes just a few drops, while total daily urine volume remains within normal limits. When the child is engaged in play or focused, the intervals between urination are extended, and urinary frequency symptoms disappear after falling asleep.

  • Age: 5 to 18 years (inclusive), regardless of gender.
  • Voluntary participation: The child and their guardian must voluntarily participate in the trial and sign the informed consent form.

Exclusion criteria

  • Exclude enuresis caused by urinary tract infections, pinworms, myelitis, spinal cord injuries, epilepsy, cerebral developmental disorders, diabetes, and other neurological, urinary, or endocrine diseases, as well as transient enuresis due to excessive activity, mental fatigue, or excessive fluid intake before bedtime.
  • Exclude conditions causing urinary frequency such as neurogenic bladder, urinary tract infections, urethral syndrome, hypercalciuria, or metabolic diseases.
  • Patients who have participated in or are currently participating in other clinical trials within the past month.
  • Patients deemed unsuitable for participation in the clinical trial by the investigator.

Treatment and study plan

Micturition Desire-Relaxation Training Device

Device

The device was developed by Shanghai Children's Medical Center in collaboration with Shanghai University of Engineering Science. It plays relaxation videos through a VR device and monitors the subjects' brain waves in real time using electroencephalography to evaluate their relaxation levels. The relaxation material is adjusted accordingly, and urination is recorded after training. Urine is collected and analyzed with a flow meter, generating a diagnostic report.

Sham device

Device

Participants diagnosed with nocturnal enuresis, daytime urinary incontinence, and urinary frequency will be screened at Shanghai Children's Medical Center, and eligible patients will be recruited. Participants will be randomly assigned to the sham training group, in which they will wear the device without powering it on for 10 minutes each session, 5-10 times a day, for 4 weeks.

Primary outcomes

  1. Enuresis improvement rate

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months

    The enuresis improvement rate is the sum of the complete and partial response rates. No response: <50% reduction. Partial response: 50 to 99% reduction. Complete response: 100% reduction.

  2. Daytime urinary incontinence frequency

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months

    The frequency of daytime urinary incontinence will be recorded using a voiding diary, with caregivers documenting each episode of urine leakage during waking hours. The daily frequency will be categorized using a study-specific ordinal scoring system as follows:

    Score 0: No daytime incontinence Score 1: ≤1 episode/day Score 2: 2-3 episodes/day Score 3: ≥4 episodes/day Higher scores indicate more severe daytime urinary incontinence.

  3. Total number of voiding episodes in 24 hours

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months

    The total number of voiding episodes per 24 hours will be calculated using a 3-day bladder diary. This includes both daytime and nighttime voids.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Grade scoring of the micturition desire - awakening function

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months

    The micturition desire-awakening function will be assessed using a study-specific, investigator-defined scoring system based on average nocturnal awakening ability. Scores range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating poorer awakening response to bladder signals. The scoring criteria are as follows: Score 5: Remains asleep most of the time after urination.

    Score 4: Only awakens after completely wetting the bed. Score 3: Awakens only after urinating a significant amount and then goes to the toilet to void the remaining urine.

    Score 2: Awakens after urinating a small amount and then goes to the toilet to void the remaining urine.

    Score 1: Awakened by the urge to urinate, without wetting the bed.

  2. Enuresis recurrence rate

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months

    Recurrence is defined as the reappearance of enuresis in previously cured patients, occurring more than once per month.

  3. Timing of nocturnal enuresis episodes

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months

    The timing of nocturnal enuresis episodes will be recorded during the night. If multiple episodes occur, the time of the first episode will be used for analysis.

  4. Child's bedtime and wake time

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months

    The child's bedtime and wake-up time will be recorded daily throughout the intervention period.

  5. Standardized bladder capacity

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months

    Standardized bladder capacity = bladder capacity/body surface area. Compare the standardized mean bladder capacity as well as the maximum and minimum daytime/nighttime bladder capacity changes from baseline to 6 months.

    The term mean daytime bladder capacity refers to the average volume of voided urine measured on the frequency volume chart throughout a 24-hour cycle.

    The term maximum/minimum daytime bladder capacity refers to the largest/smallest volume of voided urine measured on the frequency volume chart during the day. It excludes the first morning void.

    The term maximum/minimum nighttime bladder capacity refers to the largest/smallest volume of voided urine measured on the frequency volume chart during the night. It includes the first morning void.

  6. Bladder variability rate

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months

    Bladder variability rate = (standard deviation / average bladder capacity) * 100% The average bladder capacity and standard deviation will be calculated based on each voided volume from the 3-day bladder diary to determine the variability rate.

  7. Behavioral response during daytime urinary incontinence episodes

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months

    Behaviors of the child during episodes of daytime incontinence will be recorded, such as whether the child is aware of the leakage, embarrassed, attempts to hide it, or seeks help.

  8. Child's psychological and behavioral characteristics

    Time frame: Assessed every 3 months from enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months

    The psychological and behavioral characteristics of the child will be assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). This standardized instrument evaluates five domains: emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer relationship problems, and prosocial behavior.

    The SDQ comprises 25 items, each rated on a 3-point scale (0 = "Not True," 1 = "Somewhat True," 2 = "Certainly True"). Subscale scores (range: 0-10) are calculated for each of the five domains. The Total Difficulties Score (range: 0-40) is derived by summing the scores of the first four subscales, excluding prosocial behavior. Higher total difficulties scores indicate more severe psychological problems, whereas higher prosocial scores reflect better social behavior.

    Total and subscale scores will be used to track changes in psychological and behavioral functioning throughout the study.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Shanghai Children's Medical Center

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Prospective Evaluation of Micturition Desire-Relaxation Training Device for Treating Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction in Children: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Acronym: ICCS,LUTD,PNE

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 3, 2025
Registry last updated
Jun 5, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.