Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Treatment of Urinary Urge Incontinence: A Pilot Study

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate if a mindfulness-based stress reduction program is a viable treatment worthy of further evaluation for the treatment of urinary urge incontinence. Methods: This was a single-arm pilot study of 7 women who participated in an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program to evaluate its effectiveness in reducing urinary leakage episodes. Improvement was measured by 3-day bladder diary, Overactive Bladder Symptom and Quality of Life-Short Form, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Patient Global Impression of Improvement. Outcome data were analyzed by means of paired t tests. Results: Mean incontinence episodes per day decreased from 4.14 (SD, 1.96; range, 2.67-7.67) at baseline to 1.23 (SD, 0.93; range, 0.33-2.67) after treatment (P = 0.0005 for change). After treatment, 5 of 7 women were improved based on the Patient Global Impression of Improvement, and 2 were unchanged. Significant improvements on both Health-Related Quality of Life and Overactive Bladder Symptom and Quality of Life-Short Form were reported after treatment. Results were sustained at 1 year in 4 of 7 women. Two women sought treatment, and one was lost to follow-up at 12 months. Conclusions: Mindfulness-based stress reduction appears to be a treatment worthy of further study, as in the short term, it is as effective as historical studies of drug treatment and bladder training in reducing urge incontinence and incontinence-related quality of life.