Bladder Rehabilitation Research Training Center

Research Project 1

Intravesical Probiotic (Lactobacillus) for Urinary Symptoms Among People with Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Who Use Indwelling Catheters

We are recruiting participants nationwide for a bladder study looking at the use of a probiotic bladder flush when experiencing urinary symptoms.

Participants must:

Objective 1: Participants in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area will provide two urine samples at least two weeks apart when not experiencing urinary symptoms.

Objective 2: Participants nationwide will be randomized into a low or high dose bladder wash group using an intravesical probiotic called Lactobacillus GG. Instillations will occur when experiencing urinary symptoms.  

Urine samples may be collected if residing in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area.

If you are interested or have questions, please contact:

Margot Giannetti
Margot.Giannetti@medstar.net
202-877-1071

Chris Riegner
christopher.r.riegner@medstar.net
202-877-1560

Research Project 2

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Transcutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (TTNS) for Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction (NLUTD)

This study seeks to demonstrate that TTNS will improve NLUTD in SCI/D by intervening acutely, improving the quality of life by providing a feasible, non-pharmacologic, and dignified intervention to be performed at home to reduce autonomic dysreflexia.

Participants must be:

Participants will be in this study for one year and randomized into a low or high TTNS group.

If you are interested or have questions, please contact:

MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital
Emily Leonard, PhD
emily.m.leonard@medstar.net
202-877-1844

The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) Memorial Hermann
Nadia Zamany
nadia.a.zamany@uth.tmc.edu
713-797-5765

Research Project 3

A Mixed Methods Assessment of the Impact of Transcutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (TTNS) on Quality of Life and Participation

Study Objective: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the burden of Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction (NLUTD) on

To be included in this study, participants must:

If you are interested or have questions, please contact:

Emily Leonard, PhD
emily.m.leonard@medstar.net
202-877-1844

Research Project 4

Intravesical Lactobacillus to Reduce Urinary Symptoms after Spinal Cord Injury — Intermittent Catheters

We are recruiting participants nationwide for a bladder study looking at the use of a probiotic bladder flush when experiencing urinary symptoms.

Participants must:

Objective 1: Participants in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area will provide two urine samples at least two weeks apart when not experiencing urinary symptoms.

Objective 2: Participants nationwide will be randomized into a low or high dose bladder wash group using an intravesical probiotic called Lactobacillus GG. Instillations will occur when experiencing urinary symptoms.  

Urine samples may be collected if residing in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area.

If you are interested or have questions, please contact:

Chris Riegner
christopher.r.riegner@medstar.net
202-877-1560

Research Project 5

Intravesical Lactobacillus rhamnosusGG versus standard care saline bladder wash: A randomized, controlled, comparative effectiveness clinical trial—Intermittent Catheters

We are recruiting participants nationwide for a bladder study looking at the use of a probiotic bladder flush versus a saline bladder flush when experiencing urinary symptoms.

Participants must:

• Have had a Spinal Cord Injury, MS or Spina Bifida for at least 6 months and are over 18 years of age
• Be diagnosed with neurogenic bladder and use intermittent catherization for bladder management

If you are interested or have questions, please contact:

Emily Leonard, PhD
emily.m.leonard@medstar.net
202-877-1844

Research Project 6

A Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) stakeholder-vetted education module to mitigate early cardioendocrine health risks occurring after spinal cord injuries.

This research study aims to develop and evaluate an educational module designed to increase awareness of cardiometabolic disease (CMD) risk factors in individuals with early spinal cord injury (SCI). The study will test the effectiveness of the module in enhancing participants' knowledge and assess its impact on the diagnosis of cardiometabolic syndrome and key risk factors six months after the intervention.

To participate participants must be:

• Men and Women with SCI/D aged 18-70 years
• Neurologically complete and incomplete ASIA Impairment scale (AIS) A-D spinal cord levels C5 and below
• Enrolled no later than 4 months following discharge from initial rehabilitation from SCI

If you are interested in this study or have any further questions, please contact:

Sarah DiMeglio
Sarah.d.dimeglio@medstar.net
703-622-0614

Research Project 7

ANEUVO: ExaStim Upper Limb Pivotal Clinical Validation Study

This research is being done to test the safety of a new investigational noninvasive spinal cord stimulation device called ExaStim and to see if it will help improve movement and sensation in the upper body, arms, and hands of individuals with spinal cord injury. Eligible subjects will be randomized and receive 8 weeks of stimulation therapy (3-4 sessions per week) and 4 weeks of follow-up

To participate participants must be:

• ≥ 22 years of age (at Screening)
• At least 1 year post spinal cord injury (between C2 and T2)
• ASIA Impairment Scale A, B, C, or D
• Must have limited function of upper extremities with ISNCSCI Upper Extremity Motor Score for each arm from 5 to 20

If you are interested or have questions, please contact:

Emily Leonard, PhD
emily.m.leonard@medstar.net
202-877-1844

Research Project 8

Randomized, Controlled, Open-Label, Parallel Group, Multi-Center, Prospective Phase 4 Study Comparing the Efficacy of Transforming Powder Dressing to NPIAP Recommended Standard of Care Therapies in Stage 2, 3 and 4 Pressure Injuries.

This study seeks to compare the efficacy of Altrazeal (Transforming Powder Dressing) in reducing primary dressing changes in the treatment of non-infected Stage 2, 3, and 4 pressure ulcers over a 12-week period versus standard of care therapies recommended within the 2019 NPIAP Guidelines.

Participants must be:

• 18 to 85 years of age
• Stage 2, 3 or 4 pressure ulcers
• Wound exudate is mild to moderate
• No active wound infection (clinical diagnosis)
• Able and willing to provide written (not proxy) informed consent
• Clinically stable, as determined by: Medical history, Vital signs, Physical exam, Laboratory testing prior to enrollment

Participants will be in this study for 12 weeks and will have to be seen in person once a week for the duration of the study.

If you are interested or have questions, please contact:

Ana Valeria Aguirre Guemez, MD
AnaValeria.AguirreGuemez@Medstar.net
202-877-1875

Coming soon

Cathbuddy, Inc. High-level disinfection (HLD) Validation Through In-Use Testing

This study tests whether the compact, battery-powered Aurie System Catheter Reprocessor effectively disinfects catheters used clinically in neurogenic bladder or urinary retention, aiming to meet FDA standards for high-level disinfection. It aims to offer a cost-effective solution for accessing no-touch catheter technology.

Participants must:

• Be diagnosed with neurogenic bladder (secondary to Spinal Cord Injury, MS or Spina Bifida etc.)
• Have used intermittent catheterization for bladder management for at least 6 months
• Be 18 years or older

If you are interested in participating or have questions please contact:

Sarah DiMeglio
Sarah.d.dimeglio@medstar.net
703 622-0614

Development and Assessment of SCI Model System cUTI Consensus Guidelines

The purpose of this study is to develop, validate, disseminate, and assess the uptake and impact of Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems (SCIMS) complicated Urinary Tract Infection (cUTI) Consensus Guidelines specific to people with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction (NLUTD).

Participants must:

• Be ≥18 years old
• Have a SCI
• Be willing to fill out the Urinary Symptom Questionnaire for Neurogenic Bladder (USQNB) every 2 weeks
• Living in the United States

Participants will be enrolled in the study for 12 months, during which electronic questionnaires will be sent every 2 weeks.

If you are interested in participating or have any questions please contact:

Ana Valeria Aguirre Guemez, MD
AnaValeria.AguirreGuemez@Medstar.net
202-877-1875

Intravesical Lactobacillus crispatus: Clinical Safety and Microbiome Evaluation

This study seeks to determine if a probiotic bladder flush of L. crispatus is safe and well tolerated to see if it can be used as an antibiotic-sparing treatment for urinary symptoms and urinary tract infection (UTI) among adults with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD).

Participants must:

• Be ≥18 years old
• Have had a SCI for at least 6 months
• Be using an intermittent catheter for bladder management
• Be premenopausal if female
• Be community dwelling
• Living in United States

Participants will be enrolled in the study for 23 days, during which daily electronic questionnaires will be collected, along with urine samples for DNA sequencing over 16 consecutive days. On days 8 and 9, participants will instill their assigned treatment into the bladder.

If you are interested in participating or have any questions please contact:

Sarah DiMeglio
Sarah.D.DiMeglio@medstar.net
703 622-0614