MedTrace Logo

New Approaches to Nerve Stimulation Therapy for Bladder Pain Syndrome

NCT06204874 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 5

Last updated 2026-04-30

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Many women suffer from bladder pain syndrome (BPS). There are many treatments, but there is no one universally effective option. The goal of this clinical trial is to explore the use of electrical energy directed towards a group of nerves, called the superior hypogastric plexus, for treatment of BPS in women over the age of 18 with a diagnosis of BPS. The main question it aims to answer is: does use of electrical micro-current directed at the superior hypogastric plexus improve pain associated with BPS?

There is data from many different studies that suggest that this kind of therapy might provide relief of BPS symptoms.

Participants will be asked to participate for a total of six months from the date of their first nerve treatment. At the first appointment, they will be evaluated in the Walter Reed Chronic Pain clinic and asked several questions about the severity and personal management of their symptoms. The procedure will then be performed by inserting two needles into the back (one on either side of the spine) and directing extremely short bursts of electrical micro-current towards the target nerve. The medical term for this is "pulsed radiofrequency ablation." This procedure causes disruption on a microscopic level of nerve fibers that send pain sensations to the bladder and other organs in the pelvis. Following this initial appointment, participants will be asked about their symptoms at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up appointments. Participants will be asked about pain, mood symptoms, sexual function, and measures of bladder irritation. The procedure will only be performed once.

At the study conclusion, researchers will analyze pain scores, as well as other secondary outcomes listed above.

Benefits of this study may include possible relief of BPS symptoms. This may help to advance research about treatments for BPS. This is a novel approach to the treatment of BPS and as such may provide benefits greater than those found in treatment outside of the study.

Conditions

  • Bladder Pain Syndrome

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Pulsed radiofrequency ablation

See left.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

    lead FED

Principal Investigators

  • Eli Medvescek, MD · Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
FEMALE
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2024-01-01
Primary Completion
2026-12-31
Completion
2026-12-31

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06204874 on ClinicalTrials.gov