Comparing laser therapy to sham treatment for stress urinary incontinence in women

Intraurethral Laser Therapy for Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Randomized Sham - Controlled Clinical Study

Not applicable Interventional Medical University of Graz · NCT04707690

This study is testing whether a new laser treatment can help women with stress urinary incontinence feel better compared to a fake treatment.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexFemale
SponsorMedical University of Graz Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsradiation
Locations1 site (Graz, Styria)
Trial IDNCT04707690 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of intraurethral laser therapy in women diagnosed with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). It is a randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled study where participants will receive either the active laser treatment or a sham treatment. The primary outcome will assess the impact of SUI on the visual analogue scale (VAS) three months post-treatment. Secondary outcomes include subjective and objective measures of SUI, quality of life, treatment satisfaction, and intraurethral microbiome analysis.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are women aged 18-80 with diagnosed SUI I-II° and experiencing at least one incontinence episode per day.

Not a fit: Patients with active urinary tract infections or significant urinary tract complications may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new, effective option for women suffering from stress urinary incontinence.

How similar studies have performed: While intraurethral laser therapy is a novel approach, similar studies have shown promising results in treating urinary incontinence.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Female between 18 and 80 years
* Confirmed SUI through cough stress test within the last 24 months
* SUI I-II° for more than 6 months
* At least one incontinence episode per 24 hour period measured over three days according to a bladder diary
* Valsalva leak-point pressure (VLPP) ≤60 cm H2O
* Maximum cystometric capacity ≥250 mL
* No pelvic surgery within last 6 months (including prolapse repair, subjects who have residual or recurrent SUI following colposuspension or a sling procedure may be included in the study if the procedure was conducted at least 6 months prior to screening /baseline visit)
* BMI (body mass index) ≤35 kg/m2
* Willing to give informed consent and complete the follow up schedule

Exclusion Criteria:

* Active lower urinary tract infections (urethritis, cystitis or vaginitis)
* Three (3) or more cultured-proven bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI) in the last 12 months
* Detrusor overactivity on urodynamics
* Postvoiding residual (PVR) \> 100 ml
* Previous urethral surgery (i.e. fistula or diverticula)
* Pelvic organ prolapse grade \> 3 as defined by POP-Q and symptomatic
* Known polyuria (\>3l/24h)
* Unevaluated macro hematuria
* Neurogenic bladder
* Evidence of dysplasia in a Pap smear (done in the last 24 months)
* Tumours of the Urinary tract
* Previous radiation or brachytherapy to treat pelvic cancer
* Uncontrolled diabetes
* Active herpes genitalis
* Pregnancy
* Vaginal delivery within 6 months prior to the Screening/Baseline Visit

Where this trial is running

Graz, Styria

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Stress Urinary IncontinenceLaser therapyStress urinary incontinenceintraurethral
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.