Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Effectiveness of Chinese Herbal Medicine for Older Adults With Urinary Incontinence

This study is exploring if a specific Chinese herbal medicine can help older adults who experience bladder leakage, known as urinary incontinence. Many people find their quality of life affected by this, and current treatments don't always work for everyone or can have side effects. Researchers want to compare the herbal medicine to a 'dummy' pill (placebo) to see if it reduces how often and how severely bladder leakage occurs. They will also check if it improves quality of life. The study aims to be a careful and fair test, where participants are randomly given either the herbal medicine or the dummy pill, and neither they nor their doctors will know which one they are receiving. If successful, this could offer a new, gentler way to manage bladder leakage.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Enrolment target

150

Start

01 Jun 2026

Estimated completion

01 May 2028

Urinary Incontinence (UI)

What is this study about?

This study is looking into whether a particular Chinese herbal medicine could be a helpful treatment for older adults who experience urinary incontinence. That's the medical term for bladder leakage, which is a common problem as people get older. This can make everyday life difficult and affect someone's confidence and overall well-being.

While there are treatments available for bladder leakage, they don't work for everyone, or some people might find the side effects tricky. That's why researchers are keen to explore new options. This study aims to find out if this specific Chinese herbal medicine can actually make a difference by reducing how much and how often someone leaks, and if it can improve their overall quality of life.

To make sure the study is fair and accurate, it will be a 'randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial'. This means that participants will be randomly chosen to receive either the actual herbal medicine or a 'placebo', which looks exactly like the herbal medicine but doesn't contain any active ingredients – it's like a dummy pill. Neither the participants nor the doctors will know who is getting what until after the study is finished. This helps to ensure that any improvements seen are genuinely due to the herbal medicine and not just other factors.

Key takeaways

This study explores Chinese herbal medicine for bladder leakage in older adults.
It compares the herbal medicine to a 'dummy' pill (placebo).
Researchers will check if it reduces leaks and improves quality of life.
The study is 'double-blind', meaning no one knows who gets what treatment.
It aims to find new, gentler options for managing bladder leakage.
Participants must be 65 or older and have bladder leakage.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for older adults, aged 65 or over, who are experiencing bladder leakage, whether it's stress incontinence (leaking when you cough, sneeze, or laugh), urge incontinence (a sudden, strong need to go), or a mix of both. You'll need to be able to understand what the study involves and be happy to give your permission to take part, as well as attend appointments and fill out some questionnaires.

However, some people won't be able to join. This includes if you have very severe memory problems, a known allergy to any part of the herbal medicine, or certain serious health conditions that could make taking part unsafe. If you have an active bladder infection when you first apply, you might be able to join after it's been treated. Also, if you're already taking other treatments for bladder leakage that can't be kept steady during the study, or if you're taking part in another clinical trial that might affect your bladder, you probably won't be suitable.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 65 years old or older?
Do you experience bladder leakage sometimes?
Do you feel comfortable attending study appointments and filling out forms?
Do you have any serious allergies or severe health problems that might make taking new medicines risky?
Are you currently taking part in another study for your bladder?
Do you have a current bladder infection that needs treating?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll be randomly assigned to receive either the Chinese herbal medicine or a dummy pill. You'll take this medicine for a set period. During the study, you'll have regular visits to the clinic where you'll be checked over, and you'll complete questionnaires to track your bladder leakage symptoms and how they're affecting your daily life. The research team will explain exactly how often these visits will be and how long the study will last in total.

Potential risks and benefits

Potential benefits of taking part include the chance that the Chinese herbal medicine could reduce your bladder leakage and improve your quality of life. This research could also help many other people in the future by finding new treatment options. However, as with any medication, there's always a small chance of side effects. If you receive the dummy pill, you won't get any active treatment. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Student Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic
Verified postcode
Richmond, Canada

Common questions

What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is the medical term for bladder leakage, meaning you sometimes pass urine without meaning to.

What is Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM)?

It's a type of traditional medicine that uses various plant parts to create treatments, often in the form of supplements.

What is a 'placebo'?

A placebo is a 'dummy' pill or treatment that looks exactly like the real medicine but contains no active ingredients. It's used for comparison.

Will I know if I'm getting the real medicine or the placebo?

No, this is a 'double-blind' study, meaning neither you nor your doctors will know until the study is over. This helps make the results fair.

Is there a cost to participate?

Clinical trials are typically free for participants, and sometimes travel expenses are covered. You should confirm this with the study team.

How to find out more

John Yang, Dr.

john.yang@kpu.ca 604-599-2286 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.