NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Noninvasive genital nerve stimulation to help bladder control after spinal cord injury

Official title: Noninvasive Electrical Stimulation Device to Improve Bladder Control for Women with Spinal Cord Injury

Funded at Cleveland VA Medical Research/ed/fdn · NIH-11423753 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A new noninvasive device uses genital nerve stimulation to help women with spinal cord injury gain better bladder control and reduce leakage.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCleveland VA Medical Research/ed/fdn
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cleveland, United States)
Project startAugust 22, 2026
Project endJuly 31, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$572,132
NIH project number1R61NS143667-01A1
Project IDNIH-11423753 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Women with spinal cord injury who experience neurogenic bladder and reflexive bladder contractions.

Less likely to help

Individuals without neurogenic bladder due to spinal cord injury or those not experiencing reflexive contractions may not benefit.

What this research studies

This grant aims to develop a safe, easy-to-use stimulation system that quiets involuntary bladder contractions in women with spinal cord injury. The approach builds on earlier findings that surface genital nerve stimulation can suppress reflex bladder spasms during short visits and 1 month of home use. Researchers will refine the device to address daily living challenges and make it more convenient for patients to wear and use at home. The project includes testing in real-world conditions to see if the improved system can maintain bladder control over time and reduce urinary symptoms.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the device could reduce incontinence episodes and urinary complications, improving independence and quality of life for women with SCI.

How similar studies have gone: Previous small studies show that genital nerve stimulation can reduce reflex bladder contractions in SCI, but longer-term, user-friendly solutions are still being developed.

Where this research is happening

  • Cleveland VA Medical Research/ed/fdn
    Cleveland, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Bourbeau, Dennis — Cleveland VA Medical Research/ed/fdn
  • Study coordinator: Bourbeau, Dennis

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.