Cerebral Palsy (CP) Bladder Management Study

Urinary problems like frequent urination and urinary leakage can severely limit the quality of life in adults with Cerebral Palsy (CP). These bladder problems are also common in other nervous system diseases such as spinal cord injury and spina bifida; we call this condition “neurogenic bladder”. Our prior research and clinical experience suggests that neurogenic bladder may not be the most precise term for people with CP. CP differs from the other conditions in that muscle spasticity, communication challenges, and behavioral changes associated with the disease may play just as much a role in bladder function and management as the nervous system damage. Therefore, it would be premature and may be inaccurate to use a neurogenic bladder questionnaires designed for spinal cord injured individuals or individuals living with multiple sclerosis to measure bladder function in CP.

Drs. Sean Elliott and Blayne Welk, both members of the Neurogenic Bladder Research Group (NBRG), have received research funding through a generous grant from the Pedal with Pete foundation, an organization dedicated to advancing research in CP. The organization was founded with the goals of preventing, treating and hopefully curing CP. Pedal with Pete’s founder has always been determined to demonstrate that a handicap doesn’t have to equate to a limitation. Under his leadership, this foundation has raised over $800,000 for CP research and is well on its way to the goal of $1,000,000.