Janis M. Miller

Scholarly Expertise / Activity

Interests:

• Recovery from tissue trauma of the pelvic floor (bone, muscle, nerve) from obstetric labor complication with secondary prevention of pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence
• Mechanistic insights about behavioral treatment of urinary incontinence
• Effects of dietary intake, type and amount of beverages, in relation to lower urinary tract symptoms such as overactive bladder or urge incontinence
• Collaboration to expand research capacity through a the newly emerging Evangelical University in Africa-Panzi Foundation research hub, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Current Research Grants and Programs:

• P50 HD044406 002 (Miller PI) 09/31/07– 07/31/13 (no cost extension) Maternal Birth-Related Neuromuscular Injury and Recovery II Common Name: Evaluating Maternal Recovery from Labor and Delivery II (EMRLD2) Goal:1) Determine the validity of commonly accepted risk factors for levator ani injury on first vaginal birth, 2) Establish sensitivity of case-finding for injury through retrospective chart review, 3) Describe variance in levator ani injury severity in the face of obstetric risk factors, 4) Document natural history of levator ani injury resolution from early postpartum (6 weeks) to late postpartum (6-months), and 5) Test the extent to which resolution of pelvic floor disorders symptoms early and late are predicated on first-birth levator ani disruption. Role: PI of project 2
• R03 NR012510-01A1 (Kane Low; Miller Co-Investigator) 03/01/2011 - 2/28/2013 Spontaneous vs. Directed Pushing: Analysis of Audiotapes of 2nd Stage Labor Common Name: Goal: Explore maternity care providers’ rationale and description of clinical indicators that effect how they manage second stage labor to be protective of the pelvic floor (levator ani muscle). Investigate the relationship between women’s actual labor response to various coaching styles and risk for incontinence postpartum.
• R01 NR012011-01 (Sampselle, Miller Co-Investigator) 9/28/2010 – 6/30/2015 Translating Unique Learning for Incontinence Prevention Goal: This longitudinal RCT tests two forms of delivery in behavioral interventions to see if there is equivalence in preventing urinary incontinence using an educational DVD or a group behavioral program. As Co-Investigator, I am responsible for over-site of two embedded educational components that I have previously developed, including the “Knack maneuver.” This maneuver employs learned timing of volitional levator ani contraction to suppress both urge and stress-type leakage.
• U01NR004061 15A1 (Harlow, Miller Co-Investigator) 5/1/09 – 4/30/14 Perimenopause, Bone and Arthritis in African Americans Common Name: Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN IV Michigan) Goal: To continue to characterize the impact of menopause among Caucasian and African American women in relation to bone status, arthritis and blood pressure. This well-known longitudinal trial, nearly two decades in operation, now for the first time includes survey data on prolapse. The relationship of prolapsed to prior well-documented life events, such as lifestyle, hormonal and obstetric information, will greatly enhance our knowledge about risk factors and natural history.