Multicomponent Intervention for Overactive Bladder in Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Behavioral Science
• Quality of Life Research

Background:

• Cognitive components of behavioral therapy for overactive bladder (OAB) are recognized, but studies on multicomponent interventions including these aspects are lacking.
• Overactive bladder significantly impacts health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in affected women.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a multicomponent intervention in enhancing HRQOL for women diagnosed with moderate to severe OAB.
• To assess the impact of cognitive components within a behavioral therapy framework for OAB treatment.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter, open-label, randomized clinical trial involving 79 women (aged 20-80) with moderate to severe OAB in Japan.
• Participants were randomized 1:1 to a 4-week multicomponent intervention or a waiting list, with both groups receiving baseline treatment.
• Primary outcome measured changes in HRQOL total scores using the OAB questionnaire from baseline to week 13.

Main Results:

• The intervention group showed a significantly greater improvement in HRQOL total scores (12.6 points difference, P < .001) compared to the waiting list group.
• The multicomponent intervention also demonstrated superiority in improving frequency of micturition and urgency.
• No significant difference was observed in the OAB symptom score between the groups.

Conclusions:

• A multicomponent intervention, incorporating cognitive elements, effectively improves HRQOL in women with moderate to severe OAB.
• The cognitive component of this intervention appears to be a key factor contributing to the observed improvements.
• This study supports the integration of cognitive behavioral strategies in OAB management.