Exercise plus bladder training to prevent falls in older women with urine leaks
Official title: An integrated exercise and bladder training intervention to reduce falls in older women with urinary incontinence
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11181521 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program combines bladder-control training with strength and balance exercises to help older women who leak urine lower their chance of falling.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $597,863 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG071707-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11181521 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are community-dwelling older women—particularly age 70 and up—who experience urgency urinary incontinence and can participate in exercise sessions and home visits.
✕Less likely to help
Men, younger women, people without urgency urinary incontinence, residents of nursing homes, or those unable to take part in exercises or home visits are unlikely to benefit from this trial.
What this research studies
You would join a randomized trial of 314 women where some participants receive a tailored program that combines behavioral bladder training and urge suppression, leg-strength and balance exercises, and a home safety check. The investigators have already tested and refined the program in small pilot studies and will deliver the intervention through trained staff in the community. The trial will track falls and urinary symptoms over time to see if the integrated approach reduces falls and improves bladder control. Participation will include in-person sessions and a home hazard assessment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce falls, lessen urinary leakage, and improve daily function and quality of life for older women.
How similar studies have gone: Pilot studies of this combined intervention showed promising results, but this larger randomized trial is needed to confirm the benefits.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Andy, Uduak Umoh — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Andy, Uduak Umoh
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.