Improving care for women with urinary incontinence
Official title: Empowering Women and Providers for Improved Care of Urinary Incontinence : EMPOWER Study
Funded at University Hospitals of Cleveland · NIH-10764257 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping women with urinary incontinence by making it easier for them to get the care they need, with tools like a mobile chatbot for self-help and better training for doctors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University Hospitals of Cleveland NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $931,188 |
| NIH project number | 5U18HS028742-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10764257 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women experiencing urinary incontinence who seek better management options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience urinary incontinence or those who are not seeking treatment for this condition may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the care provided to women suffering from urinary incontinence (UI), a condition affecting over 50% of women. It aims to empower both patients and healthcare providers through a multi-faceted approach that includes large-scale screening, patient education, and the use of a mobile chatbot for self-management. The study will also provide training for providers and streamline referral processes to ensure better diagnosis and treatment in primary care settings. By addressing barriers at the patient, provider, and system levels, the research seeks to improve the overall management of UI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnosis and management of urinary incontinence, significantly enhancing the quality of life for affected women.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in implementing patient-centered approaches for managing urinary incontinence, indicating that this integrated strategy has the potential for positive outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
University Hospitals of Cleveland
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hijaz, Adonis K — University Hospitals of Cleveland
- Study coordinator: Hijaz, Adonis K
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
New Diaphragm-like implant to prevent urinary leakage after prostate cancer surgery
A resorbable implant placed at the time of prostate cancer surgery helps men regain bladder control faster and reduces the need for pads or secondary procedures.
-
Wireless pudendal nerve stimulation to reduce urine leakage after childbirth
A tiny wireless device that uses mechanical motion to make gentle electrical pulses to the nerve that controls the urethral muscle, aimed at helping women with stress urinary incontinence after vaginal delivery.
-
Collagen-based tissue guide to treat stress urinary incontinence in women
A new collagen-based implant approach is being developed to help women with stress urinary incontinence experience better results and fewer complications from current mesh slings.
-
Bladder health education and continence support for Black and Hispanic women in Washington, DC
A program offering bladder health education and behavioral therapies to help Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women in Washington, DC reduce urinary leakage and get better care.
-
Long-lasting bladder treatment for urinary leaks and urgency in older adults
This project is creating bladder-instilled medicines that aim to give months of relief from urinary leaks and urgent urges in older adults who haven't been helped by current treatments.
-
Exercise plus bladder training to prevent falls in older women with urine leaks
This program combines bladder-control training with strength and balance exercises to help older women who leak urine lower their chance of falling.
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.