Clinical Research Directory

Efficacy of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field and Heparin/Bupivacaine Instillations

The objective of this study is to test the idea that Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy will serve as a safe therapeutic modality that can effectively be administered simultaneously with bladder instillations of a bupivacaine-heparin cocktail to improve the chronic pain and/or associated symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS) patients. The study team will distribute the PEMF device to female adults with IC/BPS who have been prescribed bladder instillations of bupivacaine-heparin to see if PEMF therapy in conjunction with bladder instillations of heparin and bupivacaine may be more effective in reducing pain levels and symptomatology of IC/BPS than instillations alone.

EPPIC: Easing Pelvic Pain Interventions Clinical Research Program

The EPPIC (Easing Pelvic Pain Interventions Clinical Research Program) study evaluates an ultra-brief, 4 session cognitive behavioral pain treatment transdiagnostic in design for urologic chronic pain syndrome (UCPPS) with clinical and practical advantages over existing behavioral therapies whose length and focus limits their adoption by clinicians and coverage for mechanistically similar comorbidities. A theoretically informed, practical, empirically grounded approach will systematically unpack CBT's working mechanisms, clarify for whom it works, ease dissemination, appeal to patients, providers, payers, and policy makers in the COVID-19 era favoring low resource intensity treatments, and reduce cost and inefficiencies associated with high intensity therapies whose complexity, length, and scarcity restricts uptake and impact.

Safety and Efficacy Study of VNX001 Compared to Its Individual Components (Lidocaine and Heparin) or Placebo in Subjects With IC/BPS

This is a Phase 2, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center, single-dose, pharmacodynamic study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination product (VNX001) versus placebo and its individual components (heparin sodium and lidocaine hydrochloride (HCl)) for the reduction of bladder pain in patients with interstitial cystitis (IC) / bladder pain syndrome (BPS), Who Have an Episode of Acute Bladder Pain of Moderate to Severe Intensity.

Safety, Efficacy, and Frequency of Administration of VNX001 in the Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis / Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS)

This is an open-label study that will enroll participants with Interstitial Cystitis / Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS). The study will assess PRN (as needed) dosing of up to 6 intravesical (via catheter) doses of VNX001 (study drug) to treat acute instances of moderate to severe bladder pain over a 14-day period. The main aim of the study is to tally the number of doses and assess pain before and after doses. The study will review the safety and tolerability of VNX001. Participants will need to attend up to seven (7) clinic visits (1 for screening and up to 6 visits for VNX001 dosing) or at least one (1) clinic visit (for a combined screening/dosing visit) and 5 telephone visits over the course of 14 days. Participants will also be asked complete a diary or telephone call each day of the study, in order to record bladder pain, urinary urgency, side effects, and medications taken.

Pain Type and Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome Treatment

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a severe pain condition affecting 3-8 million people in the United States lacking treatments that work. Emotional suffering is common in IC/BPS and known to make physical symptoms worse, and studies show patient sub-groups respond differently to treatment. Individuals with IC/BPS have distinct subgroups, or "phenotypes," largely characterized by the distribution of pain throughout the body. Supported by our preliminary evidence, the overall goal of this project is to assess how IC/BPS phenotype may affect response to two different therapies often given without regard to patient phenotype, pelvic floor physical therapy (PT) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for IC/BPS.

Acupuncture First for IC/BPS

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if acupuncture in addition to behavioral changes can better treat in women with bladder pain syndrome (also known as interstitial cystitis) that have not received other treatments. The main question it aims to answer is: Does acupuncture improve pain symptoms on the Interstitial Cystitis Index? Researchers will compare six (6) weeks behavioral management alone to behavioral management and acupuncture. Participants will * complete surveys about their bladder pain symptoms * make behavioral changes that have been shown to improve bladder pain symptoms * attend six (6) weekly acupuncture sessions * attend six (6) weekly physical therapy sessions after finishing acupuncture

Identifying Genetic Causes of IC/BPS

Interstitial cystitis (IC), also called Bladder Pain syndrome (BPS) is a common condition with no known cause or cure. Twin studies and family accounts have suggested that the condition may be genetic or passed down (inherited) from one generation to another. In this study, the investigators are collecting genetic material via blood or saliva and medical information from families in North America in an attempt to identify genetic factors that may cause IC/BPS. The investigators are enrolling inviduals with IC/BPS and their family members (family members with and without IC like symptoms). Travel to Boston not required.

The Role of Preoperative Immunonutrition on Morbidity and Immune Response After Cystectomy (INCyst Trial)

The goal of this clinical trial research study is to evaluate the impact of preoperative oral immunonutrition (IN) on post-operative complications in patients undergoing a cystectomy. As a secondary focus, this study will aim to develop a signature that would identify patients that would benefit the most from IN. This is a multicentric (Swiss: N=3), prospective, controlled, pragmatic, parallel-group comparative study with block randomization stratified by centers.

Investigation of PEMF Therapy for Female Patients With IC/BPS

The purpose of this study is to gather information about the safety and effectiveness of the non-pharmacological (non-drug), non-invasive treatment known as low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy. The study team will distribute the PEMF device to female adults with Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS) to measure its ability to decrease bladder and pelvic pain as well as other urinary symptoms associated with IC/BPS. There are two sequential Aims in this study and subjects will be recruited to participate in only one Aim. In both Aims, data will be collected at baseline/enrollment, 4-weeks after using PEMF therapy, and 8, 12, and 16 weeks post-enrollment.

Medtronic Hugo™ Robotic Assisted Surgery (RAS) System in Urologic Surgery (Expand URO)

This study will evaluate the safety and performance of the Medtronic Hugo™ RAS System when used for urologic RAS procedures.

Migraine Medication Effects on Urinary Symptoms

A prospective observational cohort trial to study the effects of CGRP inhibitors (CGRPi) on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and bladder/pelvic pain. Candidates for either CGRPi or an alternative therapy for refractory migraines (OnabotulinumtoxinA (BoNTA) extracranial muscle injections) with baseline LUTS will be recruited. The investigators will assess LUTS and pelvic pain using validated symptom and quality-of-life questionnaires, pretreatment and at 3 months post-treatment follow-up, comparing change in symptoms based on treatment received.

Safety and Efficacy of Aloe Vera in the Management of the Symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis

The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of super-concentrated, freeze-dried aloe vera capsules for treatment of interstitial cystitis.

A Novel Medical System for Quantitative Diagnosis and Personalized Precision Botulinum Neurotoxin Injection in Chronic Pelvic Pain Management

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if it is possible to use intravaginal high-density surface electromyography to guide Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injection to treat pelvic floor muscle overactivity that complicates Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP).

Amniotic Membrane Therapy for Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome

Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) is a clinical syndrome in which patients report symptoms of bladder and/or pelvic pain with pressure and/ or discomfort associated with urinary frequency and urgency. The primary objective of this study is to determine the efficacy of amniotic membrane therapy in patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) as defined by clinically-significant improvement in validated symptom questionnaires.

Intravesical Ozone Therapy for Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of intravesical ozone therapy in 60 patients with interstitial cystitis (IC). Participants were assigned to ozone therapy, placebo, or standard care groups for 3 weeks, with follow-up at 6 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in O'Leary-Sant ICSI score. Secondary outcomes included VAS pain score, SF-36 physical health, and urinary frequency.

Safety of Cultured Allogeneic Adult Umbilical Cord Stem Cells for Peyronie's Disease, ED, and Interstitial Cystitis

This trial will study the safety and efficacy of intravenous and intracavernosal or interstitial delivery of cultured allogeneic adult umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of Peyronie's disease, erectile dysfunction , and Interstitial Cystitis

Evaluating the Efficacy and Patient Experience of Catheter-Free Intravesical Instillation

This study aims to evaluate a catheter-free method for delivering medications directly into the bladder, known as intravesical instillation, which is commonly used to treat conditions such as interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), recurrent urinary tract infections, bladder cancer, and post-chemotherapy or post-radiation cystitis. The study investigates whether this method, which eliminates the need for catheterization, reduces discomfort and complications while maintaining treatment effectiveness. By collecting data on patient experiences and outcomes, the study seeks to determine if this approach provides a safer and more comfortable alternative to traditional catheter-based treatments.

Motor Cortical Neuromodulation in Women With Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome

Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS) is a common, chronic, and debilitating condition in women. Preliminary evidence suggests that IC/BPS pain can be reduced applying non-invasive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to areas of the brain that regulate pelvic floor muscle activity. However, prior studies have examined rTMS in a very limited sample and have not examined changes in brain or pelvic floor muscle activity to determine the mechanism of rTMS for IC/BPS. This study is designed to directly address these limitations.

Transvaginal Botulinum Toxin A for Interstitial Cystitis / Bladder Pain Syndrome

Interstitial cystitis / bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a debilitating condition that affects millions of women in the United States. Women suffer from recurring pelvic pain, bladder pressure, painful bladder, urinary frequency (needing to go often) and urgency (feeling a strong need to go). Women are five times more likely to suffer from IC/BPS than men. IC/BPS is a common cause of painful bladder after excluding urinary tract infection. About one-third of women resort to opioids, thus contributing to the current opioid crisis. Sadly, there are no durable treatments and the majority of therapies are not FDA-approved for IC/BPS.

Genetic Study of Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS)

Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a condition with several causes of which some remain unknown. It is believed that some types of CP may be genetic or passed down (inherited) from one generation to the next. In this study, we are collecting genetic material and medical information to try to determine if genetic factors play a role in CP/CPPS. We will be collecting DNA (from Blood/Saliva sample) and urine from each participant. Bladder tissue from affected individuals will also be collected. Individuals and families with CP/CPPS will be enrolled. Family members of an individual with CP/CPPS are eligible whether or not they also experience CP/CPPS symptoms.

Peppermint Oil for the Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis / Bladder Pain Syndrome

The purpose of this study is to assess the use of peppermint oil as a treatment for Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS).