Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition marked by urgency, frequency, and nocturia, especially in women and older adults. It affects quality of life and presents a significant economic burden, with OAB-related costs in the United States having reached $82.6 billion by 2020. Many patients stop pharmacological treatments due to side effects or lack of effectiveness. While behavioral therapy has proven more effective and safer than anticholinergics, it is often underused. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) offers a promising alternative for managing OAB.

Originally designed to treat psychological disorders, CBT has been effective in addressing functional conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. By targeting cognitive processes behind urinary urgency, CBT presents a new way to manage OAB. A randomized trial involving women with moderate to severe OAB showed that a CBT-based multicomponent intervention significantly improved health-related quality of life, suggesting its potential as an effective treatment option.

Reference: Funada S, Luo Y, Uozumi R, et al. Multicomponent Intervention for Overactive Bladder in Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(3):e241784. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.1784.