Non-invasive Saphenous Nerve Stimulation Therapy for Overactive Bladder (NOVASTIM)

Non-invasive Saphenous Nerve Stimulation Therapy for Overactive Bladder: A Randomized Controlled Trial (NOVASTIM)

The goal of this clinical trial is to study the NiNA System and how it works to treat overactive bladder. Up to 290 participants will be enrolled in the study in the USA and Australia.

The investigational NiNA System includes a wearable neurostimulator device ("NiNA" or "Device"), a flexible wrap to secure the Device to the calf during treatment of the saphenous nerve (SAFN), with smartphone-based control application with patient support features that allow users to control the stimulation therapy and receive reminder on days they are supposed to provide therapy ("NiNA App") or an enhanced smartphone-based control application which also has patient support features and educational multi-media content ("NiNA Care App").

The main questions the study aims to answer are: 1) How does the NiNA system compare to a common overactive bladder (OAB) medication; 2) How well does the NiNA system improve overactive bladder symptoms; and, 3) Does the NiNA system produce any unwanted side-effects.

In the study half the participants randomly receive the NiNA system and the other half first receive the OAB medication and later are treated with the NiNA System.

The Participants in the investigative Device arm (NiNA) will:

Provide NiNA system treatments very day for 30 minutes during a 28 day induction/restore period. This is followed by maintenance treatments (30 minutes, 3-times a week) until 12 weeks, when the primary endpoint data are measured. Participants continue maintenance (30 minutes, 3-times a week) for the remaining 52 weeks of the study.

Participants in the OAB medication arm will:

Take a capsule every day (tolterodine tartrate extended release (ER) 4 mg) for twelve weeks.

At 12 weeks, OAB medication arm Participants will stop taking the OAB medication and cross-over to treatment with the NiNA system. One-third of the cross-over Participants will be use a phone-based software application that allows them to control the neurostimulator and receive reminders on days the are scheduled to provide their therapy (NiNA App) and the other two-thirds of the cross-over Participants will use a phone based software application that also contains educational videos that reinforce the therapy (NiNA Care App). Assignment to each arm is random.

The study will measure primary and secondary endpoints completely remotely using digital questionnaires that are presented to Participants on a specialized software application installed on their phones ("Study App"):

Changes in OAB symptoms at a defined set of time points using the following instruments:

1. Bladder diary (3-day, consecutive);
2. Self-administered and validated Quality-of-Life questionnaires (see Effectiveness Assessments);
3. Additional assessments of participant satisfaction and preferences will be obtained using participant study surveys and questionnaires at defined study time points.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Overactive Bladder (OAB)
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Wearable neurostimulation system for saphenous nerve stimulation; Drug: tolterodine tartrate 4 mg extended release

Detailed Description

The objective of this study is to assess that Saphenous nerve (SAFN) stimulation with the NiNA System is at least non-inferior to the use of tolterodine tartrate 4 mg extended release (ER), taken daily in reducing the number of daily urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) episodes.

The investigational device is the NiNA System which includes a wearable neurostimulator device with a stimulation matrix having 6 conductive gel pads that allow patients to provide targeted neurostimulation by adjusting stimulation field geometry ("NiNA" or "Device"), a flexible wrap to secure the neurostimulator and stimulation matrix to the upper calf during treatment, and a smartphone-based control application with patient support features ("NiNA App") or an alternate smartphone-based control application with patient support features and educational content ("NiNA Care App").

The active control in the study is Tolterodine tartrate 4 mg capsules, extended-release (ER) capsules, taken daily, which are indicated for the treatment of individuals having OAB with symptoms of urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency.

The study design is a Prospective, dual center, randomized, adaptive, decentralized trial of the NiNA System vs an active control.

The study will enroll up to 290 participants, based on an adaptive design with prospectively planned sample size re-estimation (SSR) when 50% of the minimal estimated total study cohort (i.e., 108 of 216 participants combined across the Investigational Device Group & Active Control Group) has achieved the primary endpoint of 12 weeks.

Participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive therapy using the investigational device (NiNA with NiNA App) or the active control. In the investigational device arm, participants will stimulate the SAFN for 30 minutes daily during a 28-day NiNA therapy induction phase and then for 30 minutes, 3-times a week during therapy maintenance which is provided beyond the induction phase, to maintain potential therapeutic benefit. Once the primary endpoint at 12 weeks is reached, investigational device arm Participants will continue with the maintenance phase therapy until the end of the study at 52 weeks.

In the active control arm, participants take tolterodine tartrate ER (4 mg), daily for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, participants in this arm cross-over and are treated with the investigational device therapy. The cross-over group will be randomized 1:2 at the time of crossover to either:

1. the investigational device (NiNA) and the NiNA App, that provides therapy reminders and allows user to control the Device; or,
2. the investigational device (NiNA) and an app that additionally has multimedia educational content (NiNA Care App).

Upon crossover at 12 weeks, participants will immediately begin an induction stimulation schedule (30 minutes daily for 28 days) with no washout of the active control drug.

Following the 28-days induction phase, the post-crossover cohorts will transition to a maintenance schedule (30 minutes of stimulation for 3-days per-week) until the end of the study at 48 weeks.

Participant compliance and adherence with the NiNA therapy will be assessed at various study time points using the compliance and recordkeeping features associated with the investigational Device software app and a Study App.

Active control (tolterodine) compliance and adherence through the primary endpoint (12 weeks) will be assessed using standard digital clinical study measures such as a medication diary in the Study App.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 290
• Phase: Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Australia
  • Victoria
    • Maribyrnong, Victoria, Australia, 3032
      • Western Urology
      • Principal Investigator: Homi Zargar, Asoc/Prof
• United States
  • New Jersey
    • Camden, New Jersey, United States, 08104
      • Virtua Primary Care
      • Principal Investigator: Amit Bhalodia, DO

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male and female nonhospitalized individuals, 18 years of age or older, who are ambulatory and able to use the NiNA device, cell-phone Apps, and toilet independently
2. Self-reported symptoms of OAB for at least 6 months
3. Self-reported to be able to read and understand English sufficiently to provide informed consent
4. Have the required language, cognitive and physical capabilities to comply with study requirements per study investigator or delegate
5. Urinary frequency (eight or more micturitions per 24 hours)
6. 3 - 27 episodes of UUI demonstrated on a consecutive 3-day bladder diary
7. No pharmacological treatment of OAB for 2 weeks prior to screening
8. Demonstrates a positive nerve recruitment test in at least one leg
9. Willing to utilize effective contraception for period of study if female of childbearing potential (e.g., complete abstinence, oral contraceptives, patch, barrier (diaphragm or condom), intrauterine contraceptive injection, intrauterine device or hormonal vaginal contraceptive ring)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Unable to ambulate independently.
2. Has indwelling urinary catheter or requires intermittent catheterization.
3. Any current or prior use of tolterodine (any formulation)
4. Currently treated with any azole antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, miconazole), macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin), cyclosporine or vinblastine.
5. Previously treated with advanced therapy treatment options for OAB including botulinum toxin injections, sacral neuromodulation, percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation or surgery.
6. Has an active implantable device such as a pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), implanted neurostimulator.
7. Has bilateral knee or tibial plateau implants.
8. Treatment with advanced therapy options for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) including incontinence slings, surgery and urethral bulking within the previous 12 months
9. Has an artificial urinary sphincter implant.
10. Has previously participated in any OAB clinical research.
11. Past or current history of clinically significant bladder outlet obstruction or urinary retention.
12. Past or current history of gastric retention, narrow-angle glaucoma, or significant reduction in renal or liver function.
13. Has primary stress urinary incontinence or mixed incontinence where the stress component is greater than one-third of the urgency urinary incontinence component based on the 3-day bladder diary at baseline.
14. Has more than 3 occurrences of nocturia per night, on average, based on the 3-day bladder diary at baseline.
15. Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction as determined by medical history.
16. Unable to comply with the study protocol including inability to utilize smart phone technology ("app" use).
17. Unable to place and use the investigational device and use supporting software per study personnel.
18. Exhibits neurologic deficit secondary to neurologic disease or injury that could impact either saphenous nerve or pelvic floor function, per study investigator.
19. Has inadequate skin integrity or any evidence of an infection or inflammation in both legs within the target treatment area per study investigator.
20. Has significant scarring on both legs around the treatment sites from prior surgery or injury, per study investigator.
21. Has significant skin condition, peripheral neuropathy or clinically significant edema that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with transcutaneous saphenous nerve stimulation.
22. History of recurrent urinary tract infections (two or more within 6 months or 3 in one year).
23. Untreated urinary tract infection at the time of screening assessment.
24. Has clinically significant abnormalities on the urine dipstick test or per the discretion of the study investigator.
25. Is or could be pregnant or breastfeeding based on self-report or a urine pregnancy test.
26. Self-reports clinically significant and untreated pelvic organ prolapse that protrudes beyond the vaginal introitus.
27. Displays polyuria with a daily urine output > 3000 ml/day per participant's baseline frequency-volume chart at screening.
28. Self-reports significant lower urinary tract pain or diagnosis of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.
29. Has a self-reported history of lower urinary tract cancers of any etiology, active pelvic cancer diagnosis or radiation therapy of the pelvic area.
30. Experiences uncontrolled diabetes that would impact study enrollment or completion, in the opinion of the investigator.
31. Cannot tolerate 30 minutes of stimulation above saphenous nerve recruitment thresholds.
32. Any conditions or issues that, in the opinion of the PI, may make the participant not be a good fit for trial and/or place them at high risk of not completing the study

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: NiNA Therapy; Saphenous nerve stimulation with the NiNA System	Device: Wearable neurostimulation system for saphenous nerve stimulation; Device: NiNA System The NiNA System includes a wearable neurostimulator device and stimulation matrix with 6 conductive pads that provide transcutaneous stimulation ("NiNA"), that are secured to the upper calf during treatment using a flexible wrap. The system includes a either a) a basic version smartphone-based control application with patient support features ("NiNA with NiNA App") or a more advanced version which also includes multi-media educational content ("NiNA with NiNA Care App"). The system uses field steering controls to improve targeted electrical stimulation of the saphenous nerve.
Active Comparator: Drug: tolterodine tartrate 4mg ER once daily; tolterodine tartrate 4mg ER, once daily	Drug: tolterodine tartrate 4 mg extended release; once daily tolterodine tartrate 4mg ER

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Measurement in the number of UUI episodes per day using the NiNA MED system as compared to tolterodine tartrate 4mg ER	The primary objective of this study is to determine whether the change from baseline to week 12 in the number of UUI episodes per day due to the use of the NiNA System is non-inferior to the change in UUI episodes per day due to the use of daily tolterodine tartrate (ER 4 mg). If the test for non-inferiority is met, a test for superiority will be conducted	12 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in mean 24-hour urinary frequency at 12 weeks	Change in mean 24-hour urinary frequency, measured using participant diary at 12 weeks	12 weeks
Percent reduction in mean UUI episodes per 24-hours at 12 weeks	Measurement and recording in participant diaries of UUI episodes per 24-hours at 12 weeks	12 weeks
50% change in mean daily (per 24 hours) UUI episodes at 12 weeks	50%change in mean daily (24 hours) UUI episodes, as reported in the participant diary, at 12 weeks	12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: NinaMED Pty Ltd

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• MacDiarmid SA, John MS, Yoo PB. A pilot feasibility study of treating overactive bladder patients with percutaneous saphenous nerve stimulation. Neurourol Urodyn. 2018 Jun;37(5):1815-1820. doi: 10.1002/nau.23531. Epub 2018 Feb 21.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): September 10, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 10, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 30, 2028

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 11, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 19, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): August 24, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 24, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 19, 2026
• Last Verified: July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Overactive Bladder (OAB); saphenous nerve
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Urogenital Diseases; Male Urogenital Diseases; Urologic Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms; Urological Manifestations; Urinary Bladder Diseases; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Urinary Bladder, Overactive; Organic Chemicals; Hydrocarbons; Hydrocarbons, Cyclic; Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; Amines; Phenols; Benzene Derivatives; Alcohols; Propanolamines; Amino Alcohols; Propanols; Benzhydryl Compounds; Cresols; Phenylpropanolamine; Tolterodine Tartrate
• Other Study ID Numbers: NiNA MED-001

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES

IPD Plan Description

The results of this study will not be published or communicated to any scientific meeting, lay press or person without the express written agreement of the sponsor. Should the Investigator wish to publish or present the results of this study, the Investigator agrees to provide Sponsor with an abstract, manuscript, and/or presentation for review 60 days prior to submission for publication/presentation. Sponsor retains the right to delete from the manuscript confidential information and to object to suggested publication and/or its timing (at Sponsors' sole discretion). This also applies to any amendments that are requested by journal reviewers or editors.

Only aggregate data without individually identifiable information will be used for publications and other forms of public dissemination of study safety and efficacy outcomes. Any publication of the study data will acknowledge each PI or sub-investigator that contributed to the study

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: Yes
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: Yes