BTL Emsella Chair Versus Sham for the Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Stress Urinary Incontinence
• Interventions: Device: Sham BTL Emsella; Device: BTL Emsella

• Registration Number: NCT04133675
• Lead Sponsor: William Beaumont Hospitals

Brief Summary

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a condition that affects both men and women. SUI is the involuntary leakage of urine caused by an increase in intra-abdominal pressure from activities such as exercise, coughing, laughing, or sneezing. It can significantly affect quality of life as patients avoid activities or behaviors that cause leakage. This clinical trial will compare the efficacy of the Emsella chair to sham and determine if electromagnetic technology is effective in the treatment of SUI.

Detailed Description

This is a prospective, sham-controlled, observational study of subjects undergoing electromagnetic perineal stimulation for the treatment of SUI. Eligible subjects will be randomized to receive active treatment or sham in a 1:1 ratio. Eight treatments (2 treatments each week) for 4 weeks will be completed with the Emsella chair to the pelvic floor muscles.

Electromagnetic stimulation of the pelvic floor is a FDA approved therapy whereby a coil generates pulsed electromagnetic fields that penetrate deep into the pelvic floor muscles inducing stimulation and providing rehabilitation of weak pelvic muscles.The Emsella Chair is a novel high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology for the treatment of SUI, in addition to other pelvic floor related disorders. HIFEM technology induces deep pelvic floor muscle contractions designed to deliver the equivalent of 11,200 Kegel exercises over 28 minutes.This technology is typically not covered by insurance, is minimally invasive, and safe, but has limited data available.

Currently, there is no data available from sham controlled studies evaluating efficacy of this technology. The purpose of this study is to compare the Emsella Chair to sham and to determine whether electromagnetic technology is effective in the treatment of SUI.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2019-10-16
• Study First Submitted QC: 2019-10-17
• Study First Posted: 2019-10-21
• Study Start: 2019-12-18
• Status Verified: 2025-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-04-21
• Last Update Posted: 2025-04-24
• Primary Completion: 2027-10
• Study Completion: 2028-12

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 110

Inclusion Criteria

1. Able to read, understand, and provide written, dated, informed consent prior to screening, and be likely to comply with study protocol, including independently complete study questionnaires and communicate with study personnel about AEs and other clinically important information.

2. Females and males, 18 to 80 years of age, inclusive, at screening

3. Positive Cough or Bladder Stress Test at screening

4. Subject agrees not to start any new treatment (medication or otherwise) during the treatment and follow-up periods.

5. Subject agrees to maintain a stable dose of any medication known to affect lower urinary tract function, including but not limited to anticholinergics, tricyclic antidepressants, beta-3 adrenergic agonist, or α-adrenergic blockers, throughout the treatment and follow-up periods.

For Females Only:

• Subject agrees to discontinue use of bladder support devices, including but not limited to vaginal pessary, during the screening, treatment, and follow-up periods.
• If of child-bearing age and female, agree to practice approved birth-control methods (oral contraceptives, condom barrier, injection, diaphragm or cervical cap, vaginal contraceptive ring, IUD, implantable contraceptive, surgical sterilization (bilateral tubal ligation), vasectomized partner(s))

For Males Only:

• Subject must be ≥ 4 months post radical prostatectomy

Exclusion Criteria

1. Pelvic floor physical therapy, including muscle training and/or electrostimulation, in a clinical setting within 30 days prior to screening

2. Subject is morbidly obese (defined as body mass index 40 or greater)

3. Pulmonary insufficiency, defined as difficulty breathing and fatigue, especially during exercise; chest pain, such as squeezing, pressure or tightness; the sensation of rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations); swelling of the legs or feet; dizziness or fainting; and/or bluish discoloration of the nails and/or lips (cyanosis)

4. Any condition that causes a lack of normal skin sensation to the pelvis, buttocks, and lower extremities

5. Implanted cardiac pacemaker or metal in the body, including, but not limited to drug pumps, neurostimulators, electronic implants, copper intrauterine devices (IUDs), and/or defibrillators

6. Subject has a piercing between the waist and knees and is not willing to remove it before each treatment

7. Active urethral diverticula

8. Known vesicoureteral reflux

9. Currently healing from surgical procedures where muscle contraction may disrupt the healing process

10. Treatment with urethral bulking agents within the 6 months prior to the Screening Visit

11. Subject is currently receiving treatment for a malignant tumor that would interfere with study participation.

12. Subject has used the BTL EMSELLA device previously

13. Subject has urinary incontinence of neurogenic etiology, such as multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, Parkinson's, spinal cord injury, diabetic neuropathy etc.

14. Clinically confirmed urinary tract infection, requiring treatment as determined by the investigator, at the Screening Visit

15. Currently participating in an investigational study that may impact study results or previously received an investigational drug or treatment within 30 days of the Screening Visit

16. Current or history of any physical condition that, in the investigator's opinion, might put the subject at risk or interfere with study results interpretation

    For Females Only:

17. Pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, at screening or anytime throughout the study period

18. History of surgery with insertion of vaginal mesh for SUI

19. Vaginal prolapse beyond the introitus

20. Vaginal rejuvenation treatment, including laser treatments and radiofrequency therapy, within the 6 months prior to the Screening Visit

    • Note for the sake of preserving scientific integrity, one or more of the eligibility criteria have been left off the list posted while the trial is ongoing. A full list of eligibility criteria will be posted upon completion of the trial.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Emsella Sham Treatment	Sham BTL Emsella	Sham subjects will be positioned on the device in the same manner as the active treatment group. The sham treatment will be provide some sensation without active HIFEM technology. The programming for the sham treatment will have an amplitude limitation, with the setting below therapeutic level (\<10% power).
Emsella Chair Active Treatment	BTL Emsella	Active treatment subjects will be asked to sit on the center of the Emsella chair. The height of the chair will be adjusted until the participant's feet are on the floor. The Emsella chair will be turned on and the setting gradually increased to the subject's sensory threshold; the maximum sensation the subject can tolerate. The setting will then be decreased slightly and stay unchanged for the remainder of the treatment time. The treatment threshold should be increased with every treatment until the subject reaches 100%.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The efficacy of the Emsella chair versus sham to treat stress urinary incontinence.	4 weeks after completing all treatments	The primary objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of Emsella Chair to sham by evaluating the the responder rate, where a patient is called a responder if there is ≥ 50% reduction from baseline in the number stress incontinence events.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The efficacy of the Emsella chair versus sham to treat stress urinary incontinence in relation to the change in total number of subject-reported stress urinary incontinence (SUI) episodes.	8 weeks after completing all treatments	Change in the total number of subject-reported stress incontinence (SUI) episodes over 3 days based on voiding diaries. Patients will be giving a 3-day void diary to complete.
The efficacy of the Emsella chair versus sham to treat SUI in relation to the change in subject-reported impression of SUI severity.	8 weeks after completing all treatments	Change in subject-reported impression of SUI severity as measured by the Patient Global Impression of Severity scale (PGI-S). The subject will check the box that describes how their condition is now. The available options are normal, mild, moderate, or severe.
Durability to determine whether subjects in the Emsella Chair group continue to have a higher responder rate than the Sham group	8 weeks after primary efficacy endpoint	The secondary object for durability for this study are to determine whether subjects in the Emsella Chair group continue to have a higher responder rate than the Sham group
Safety objective to determine the safety and tolerability of Emsella Chair compared to sham	4 weeks after primary efficacy endpoint	Safety and tolerability of the Emsella chair compared to Sham will be assessed in relation the incidence of adverse events.
The efficacy of the Emsella chair versus sham to treat stress urinary incontinence in relation to the change in subject-reported impact of SUI on daily life.	8 weeks after completing all treatments	Change in subject-reported impact of SUI on daily life as measured by the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) Short Form. The IIQ-7, assesses how their problem effects activities, relationships, and feelings. It is a 7 point questionnaire. Each answer is scored on the following scale 0 = not at all, 1 = slightly, 2 = moderately, 3 = greatly. The higher the score the more effected they are by their condition.
The efficacy of the Emsella chair versus sham to treat stress urinary incontinence and the change in subject-reported sexual function as measured by the Brief Sexual Function Inventory questionnaire (BSFI) for male subjects.	8 weeks after completing all treatments	Change in subject-reported sexual function as measured by the Brief Sexual Function Inventory questionnaire (BSFI) for male subjects. The BSFI is a validated questionnaire for male sexual function. Scores range from 0 to 44. A lower score indicates a higher degree of dysfunction.
The efficacy of the Emsella chair versus sham to treat stress urinary incontinence in relation to the change in subject-reported impression of SUI improvement as measured by the Patient Global Impression of Improvement scale (PGI-I).	8 weeks after completing all treatments	Change in subject-reported impression of SUI improvement as measured by the Patient Global Impression of Improvement scale (PGI-I). The subject will select one of the following options, (very much better, much better, a little better, no change, a little worse, much worse, very much worse) to describe their urinary tract symptoms now versus prior to study treatment.
The efficacy of the Emsella chair versus sham to treat stress urinary incontinence related to the change in subject-reported urogenital distress.	8 weeks after completing all treatments	Change in subject-reported urogenital distress as measured by the Urinary Distress Inventory questionnaire (UDI-6). The UDI-6 is a six point questionnaire, each question answered is scored as follows; 0 = no, 1 = not at all, 2 = somewhat, 3 = moderately, 4 = quite a bit. Add all scores and divide by 6, then multiply by 25 to calculate the raw score. Higher scores = higher disability.
The efficacy of the Emsella chair versus sham to treat stress urinary incontinence and the change in fecal incontinence as measured by the Cleveland clinic incontinence score (Wexner).	8 weeks after completing all treatments	Change in subject-reported fecal incontinence as measured by the Cleveland clinic incontinence score (Wexner). The type of incontinence of stool (solid, liquid, gas, wears pad, lifestyle altered) are reported by the subject. Each question is measured as 0 = never, 1 = rarely, 2 = sometimes, 4 = usually, 5 = always. The higher the score the more severe the condition.
The efficacy of the Emsella chair versus sham to treat stress urinary incontinence and the change in subject-reported sexual function as measured by Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire for female subjects.	8 weeks after completing all treatments	The change in subject-reported sexual function as measured by the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire (FSFI) for female subjects. The FSFI is a 19 question survey. A lower the score is equivalent a higher degree of sexual function. Scores range from 0 to 95.
The efficacy of the Emsella chair versus sham to treat stress urinary incontinence in relation to the change in subject-reported impact of urinary incontinence on daily life measured by the Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire (I-QOL).	8 weeks after completing all treatments	Change in subject-reported impact of urinary incontinence on daily life as measured by the Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire (I-QOL). The I-QOL is a quality of life measure specific to persons with urinary incontinence. The survey consists of 22 incontinent-specific quality of life items all having the following five-point ordinal response; 1 = extremely, 2 = quite a bit, 3 = moderately, 4 = a little, 5 = not at all. The summed total score is transformed to a 0-100 scale ranging from 0 (poor quality of life) to 100 (maximum quality of life).
The efficacy of the Emsella chair versus sham to treat stress urinary incontinence and change in reported pain and discomfort.	8 weeks after completing all treatments	Change in subject-reported pain and discomfort as measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The VAS is a validated questionnaire that assesses pain on a scale from 0 = no pain to 10 = Worst possible pain.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital; 🇺🇸 Royal Oak, Michigan, United States