Clinical trials

The number of women having an induction of labour is increasing and is currently used in 33% of pregnancies for a range of medical reasons. The majority of women are admitted to hospital to have their labour induced, using methods which are protracted and associated with a poor birth experience, making them both costly and unpopular. Further, current methods of outpatient induction are unsuitable, unsafe and/or have a poor acceptability. The COVID-19 pandemic has driven a reduction in the number of face-to-face interactions taking place across all areas of medicine. Proving the efficacy and safety of Mifepristone would significantly reduce pre-labour admission rates and hospital length of stay for pregnant women, who are at particularly higher risk of COVID-19, and reduce delivery costs.

This study is a single-site feasibility randomised controlled trial evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of electroacupuncture (EA), percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), and sham electroacupuncture in women with refractory overactive bladder (OAB) who have not achieved satisfactory improvement following standard pelvic health physiotherapy. The primary aim is to determine whether a larger definitive trial is feasible by assessing recruitment, consent, retention, treatment adherence, data completeness, intervention delivery, blinding credibility, safety, and participant acceptability. Thirty-six participants will be randomly allocated to receive electroacupuncture, PTNS, or sham electroacupuncture over a 12-week treatment period. Outcome assessments will be completed at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. The findings will inform the design of a future definitive randomised controlled trial and contribute to the evidence base for non-pharmacological treatment options for overactive bladder.

A randomised controlled trial assessing ovarian reserve after laparoscopic ethanol sclerotherapy of ovarian endometrioma compared to standard treatment of surgical excision of endometrioma. Secondary outcomes will include endometrioma recurrence, symptomatology and inflammatory environment.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate a new animated information film as a tool for introducing the concept of epidural as a method of labour pain relief to expectant women. The main question that the study is designed to answer is: Compared to written information alone, does the addition on a short animated introductory film reduce decisional conflict for expectant women regarding the use of epidural pain relief. Secondary outcomes tested will be change in anxiety and satisfaction scores after receiving the information. Study participants will include women expecting their first baby, presenting to hospital for induction of labour. They will be asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding thoughts and feelings around epidural, before and after receiving information about the procedure. Participants will be randomised to receive either traditional written information alone or with the addition of the animated film. A smaller number of participants will also be asked to participate in a short interview about the animated film.

Lower urinary tract symptoms in transmasculine patients undergoing metoidioplasty and their acceptability of pelvic floor muscle training assessed by a Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapist. Study Design Prospective observational pilot study Study Participants Transmasculine patients undergoing metoidioplasty Planned Sample Size 50 Planned Study Period 2025/26 Objectives Understand the acceptability of first-line pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) treatment in transmasculine patients undergoing metoidioplasty Background incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in transmasculine patients undergoing surgery Endpoints Acceptability of PFMT questionnaire International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) questionnaires and uroflowmetry

Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) HIV treatments are associated with increased quality of life, and a normalisation of life expectancy in people living with HIV. However, long-term use of cART can lead to side-effects through exposure to drug-related toxicity. For this reason researchers are interested in looking at alternative therapies that might expose patients to fewer and less severe side effects while providing the same quality of care as antiretroviral therapies most often used to treat HIV. The purpose of this study is to investigate if the study drug combination that is being tested (doravirine + dolutegravir) is safe compared with other triple cART regimens.

The obesity epidemic is growing worldwide and in the UK this is perpetuated with a third of women classified as overweight/obese in 2020. Many of these woman are of childbearing age and go on to have high risk pregnancies which are often complicated by gestational or pre-existing (type 2 diabetes mellitus (GDM, T2DM). Bariatric surgery is the most successful treatment of sustainable weight loss and is associated with a reduction in rates of GDM, pre-eclampsia, delivery of large babies but increased risk of delivery of small babies and preterm delivery. The aims of the study are to investigate the maternal and fetal/neonatal, biophysical and biochemical, intra-uterine environment and postnatal profile of pregnancies: 1. affected by maternal obesity and/or GDM/T2DM compared to pregnancies with normal maternal body mass index (BMI). 2. with previous maternal bariatric surgery compared to pregnancies without previous bariatric surgery but matched for maternal pre-surgery and early pregnancy BMI.