Yoga for Treatment of Overactive Bladder in Pediatric Patients

Detrusor overactivity, otherwise known as overactive bladder (OAB) is the most common disease of voiding dysfunction in children and is characterized by urgency with or without incontinence. Current understanding of OAB suggests that it is a component of central sensitization whereby the central nervous system is in a persistent state of high reactivity. In this state, patients have lower thresholds for pain and for normal physiologic signals such as the sensation of bladder fullness. Yoga has been shown to favor parasympathetic output and appears to be effective in reversing central sensitization for patients with chronic pain. Further, both central sensitization and OAB have been associated with inflammation and so observation of urinary markers of inflammation allow an objective measurement, along with subjective symptom reporting, to measure treatment effects. Children with OAB are likely to become adults with similar urinary complaints and are also more likely to have anxiety, depression and other problems throughout development and maturation. Treatment for OAB in children is comprised of first conservative management with behavioral therapies including biofeedback, subsequent addition of pharmacologic treatment options and finally more invasive therapies including intradetrusor botulinum toxin injections and neuromodulation.

Yoga has been shown to have some positive health benefits in pediatric patients with pulmonary dysfunction, epilepsy, anxiety/depression and even in pediatric oncology patients with regards to quality of life during treatment. Additionally, yoga has been assessed as an adjunctive therapy for the treatment of urinary incontinence and overactive bladder in predominantly adult female populations. That said, to date there have been no studies assessing the impact of yoga on detrusor overactivity in pediatric patient populations (< 19 years old). This is a pilot study in which the investigators hypothesize that yoga will lead to improved quality of life, reduced urinary symptoms and reduced expression of inflammatory urinary biomarkers.

Inclusion criteria

• 8-18 years of age
• History of non-neurogenic overactive bladder or detrusor overactivity and/or urinary incontinence (ICD 10 codes respectively - N32.81, N39.498)
• Obtained legally effective informed consent and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) authorization from the participant or the participant's parent/legal guardian
• Minor participant is willing and able to provide assent (as applicable)
• Vancouver Dysfunctional Elimination Syndrome[15] score of ≥11 and a positive modified bother score within 30 days of consent

Exclusion criteria

• Known or apparent untreated anatomical abnormality of lower urinary tract (i.e. untreated ureterocele)
• Known neurogenic bladder (e.g., spina bifida, history of spinal cord injury, tethered cord)
• Nerve damage that may impact pelvic floor function
• History of chemodenervation of the bladder (e.g., via intravesical instillation or intradetrusor injection of botulinum toxin)
• Active, untreated UTI at the time of enrollment (UTI undergoing active treatment is allowable)
• Current or previous pregnancy at screening or planned pregnancy during the duration of the study, for females of childbearing potential
• Any condition that, in the judgment of the investigator or treating clinician, precludes participation because it could affect participant safety