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A Formative Study to Explore the Sensory Perceptions of Vaginal Product Users

Rational Development of Combination Microbicide Therapies: A Formative Study to Explore the Sensory Perceptions of Vaginal Product Users (Project MIST)

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01334827
Acronym
Project-MIST
Enrollment
48
Registered
2011-04-13
Start date
2011-04-30
Completion date
2012-06-30
Last updated
2025-10-15

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Microbicide Delivery System Acceptability

Keywords

topical microbicide, primary prevention, HIV, drug delivery systems

Brief summary

The purpose of the study is to compare, contrast, and characterize the range of user perceptions and potential acceptability of three (3) topical vaginal microbicide dosage forms.

Detailed description

The success of microbicide products will derive from the synergy of their biological functionality and user acceptability. Biological functionality is the integrated result of safe and effective anti-HIV compounds incorporated into dosage forms or devices that successfully deliver those compounds to target tissues, fluids, and pathogens. Acceptability is a multi-factorial phenomenon that accounts for the personal, dyadic, product-related, and social contexts that potentiate - or not - a woman's decision to use a microbicide. Acceptability (assessed, in part, by the users' sensory perceptions of products during use) depends strongly upon dosage forms and/or delivery systems with biophysical functions and/or mechanical and materials properties that are most conducive to human use. Without both, microbicides' potential to decisively alter the public health impact of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections will be largely limited. The current protocol will specifically study the impact of gel volume on user perceptions, as well as extend user perception scale development to include those properties and product behaviors experienced when using a vaginal film.

Interventions

OTHERhigh volume gel

4 mL HEC

OTHERlow volume gel

2 mL HEC

1 x 2 intravaginal quick-dissolving film

Sponsors

ImQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
CollaboratorNIH
The Miriam Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Mixed Methods Measurement Development study

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

Women who: * are between the ages of 18 and 45 * report vaginal sex with their male sexual partner in the past 6 months * report being in a monogamous sexual relationship with their male partner * report consistent use of an effective birth control method: e.g., hormonal contraceptive, IUD, bilateral tubal ligation, Essure® or any non-incisional permanent birth control procedure, hysterectomy (partial or total, with/without oophorectomy), partner's vasectomy/salpingectomy * are able to tolerate film use, as measured by pelvic exam at Visit 1B * are willing to refrain from any vaginal product use (inclusive of douching) for 48 hours before Visit 1B and until they complete all study activities (except for study-related products) * are willing to refrain from having vaginal intercourse 24 hours before Visit 1B and Visits 2-4 * are willing to use condoms for vaginal-penile sex between all study visits (Visits 1A - 4) * are willing to refrain from any non-penile vaginal penetration during dosage form evaluation visits (Visits 2-4) * are willing to undergo HIV testing and receive test results and counseling. Men who: * are at least 18 years of age * report vaginal sex with their female sexual partner in the past 6 months * report being in a monogamous sexual relationship with their female sexual partner * are willing to refrain from having vaginal intercourse 24 hours before Visit 1B and Visits 2-4 * are willing to use condoms for vaginal-penile sex between all of study visits (Visits 1A-4) * are willing to refrain from any non-penile vaginal penetration during dosage form evaluation visits (Visits 2-4) * are willing to use a non-lubricated latex condom (provided) for penile-vaginal intercourse during dosage form evaluation visits (Visits 2-4) * are willing to undergo HIV testing and receive test results and counseling.

Exclusion criteria

Women and men will be ineligible if: * they are unable or unwilling to give informed consent * their partner is unable or unwilling to give informed consent * they are currently enrolled in other vaginal product study/studies * they are STI (Neisseria gonorrhea, Chlamydia trachomatis, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, syphilis), HIV positive upon screening (Visit 1A), or pregnant (females) at any study visit * they are breastfeeding, or have completed menopause (i.e., at least 12 months without menstrual periods) (female participants only) * they are currently attempting to get pregnant or have an intention to get pregnant during their participation in the study * they have clinically significant abnormal pelvic findings and/or findings requiring therapy as a function of clinical exam at Visits 1A and/or 1B (female participants only) * they report being within 30 days of their last pregnancy outcome or gynecologic surgical procedure * they have known, or suspected, allergies to any component of the study products or similar ingredients in other products * they have known, or suspected, allergies to latex * they have any condition that, in the opinion of the study clinician or principle investigator, would compromise the participant´s ability to participate in the study

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
User Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item Means4-5 visits over an average of 8-12 weeksUSPE Sum of averaged item means/# items (min:max 1:5); 1=Do not agree at all;2=Agree a little;3=Agree somewhat;4=Agree a lot;5=Agree completely. Products:Low volume gel, high volume gel, film.Initial Penetration:Smoothness/lubricity; Initial Lubrication:Coating/lubricating; Spreading Behavior:Ease of stroke, product spread; Product Awareness:Feel intravaginally during sex (movement, felt betw vaginal wall-penis); Perceived Wetness:Covering entire vagina; as after orgasm; Stimulating: enhanced pleasure; Messiness:Perceptions of watery/messiness; Leakage:Sensations of leaking during/after sex; in pubic hair; need to clean; Pre-coital Leakage:Product felt/leakage noticed on panty liner before sex; Naturalness:Sensation of naturalness; leakage looked like vaginal fluid; Lubricity:Wetness before sex; slipperiness/lubricity during sex; Effortful:Effort needed at penetration; effort difficulty/dryness; Pleasure:Partner's stimulation; Noticeable:Male sensation during sex, messiness, thickness

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Recruited (RI, MA USA) via call-lists, flyers, ads, internet/social media, clinics, CBOs, word-of-mouth.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Female Member of Couple Enrolled
Heterosexual mutually monogamous couples in good general health evaluate 3 topical vaginal formulations (all placebo)
24
Male Member of Couple Enrolled
Heterosexual mutually monogamous couples in good general health evaluate 3 topical vaginal formulations (all placebo)
24
Total48

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicFemale Member of Couple EnrolledMale Member of Couple EnrolledTotal
Age, Customized
18-29
12 Participants12 Participants24 Participants
Age, Customized
30+
12 Participants12 Participants24 Participants
Current Contraceptive Use
Hormonal Contraceptive
17 Participants17 Participants
Current Contraceptive Use
Non-Hormonal Contraceptive
7 Participants7 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
3 Participants2 Participants5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
21 Participants22 Participants43 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
History of STD diagnosis4 Participants2 Participants6 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
3 Participants4 Participants7 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
4 Participants2 Participants6 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
2 Participants1 Participants3 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
15 Participants17 Participants32 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
24 Participants24 Participants48 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
24 Participants0 Participants24 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants24 Participants24 Participants
Vaginal Deliveries9 Participants9 Participants
Yearly Income
$15,000-$36,000 annually
7 Participants10 Participants17 Participants
Yearly Income
Less than $15,000 annually
12 Participants6 Participants18 Participants
Yearly Income
More than $36,000 annually
5 Participants8 Participants13 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 240 / 24
other
Total, other adverse events
6 / 241 / 24
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 240 / 24

Outcome results

Primary

User Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item Means

USPE Sum of averaged item means/# items (min:max 1:5); 1=Do not agree at all;2=Agree a little;3=Agree somewhat;4=Agree a lot;5=Agree completely. Products:Low volume gel, high volume gel, film.Initial Penetration:Smoothness/lubricity; Initial Lubrication:Coating/lubricating; Spreading Behavior:Ease of stroke, product spread; Product Awareness:Feel intravaginally during sex (movement, felt betw vaginal wall-penis); Perceived Wetness:Covering entire vagina; as after orgasm; Stimulating: enhanced pleasure; Messiness:Perceptions of watery/messiness; Leakage:Sensations of leaking during/after sex; in pubic hair; need to clean; Pre-coital Leakage:Product felt/leakage noticed on panty liner before sex; Naturalness:Sensation of naturalness; leakage looked like vaginal fluid; Lubricity:Wetness before sex; slipperiness/lubricity during sex; Effortful:Effort needed at penetration; effort difficulty/dryness; Pleasure:Partner's stimulation; Noticeable:Male sensation during sex, messiness, thickness

Time frame: 4-5 visits over an average of 8-12 weeks

Population: Perceived Pre-Sex Leakage not applicable for Male members of enrolled couples

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Initial Penetration [High Volume Gel]4.35 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.76
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Initial Lubrication [High Volume Gel]3.89 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.02
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Initial Penetration [Low Volume Gel]3.64 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.2
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Initial Penetration [Film]1.74 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.16
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Initial Lubrication [Low Volume Gel]3.54 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.22
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Initial Lubrication [Film]2.55 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.27
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Product Awareness [Low Volume Gel]2.55 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.94
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Product Awareness [High Volume Gel]2.89 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.1
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Product Awareness [Film]1.73 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.68
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Wetness [Low Volume Gel]2.88 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.33
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Wetness [High Volume Gel]3.43 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.95
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Wetness [Film]1.74 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.85
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Stimulating [Low Volume Gel]2.35 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.05
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Stimulating [High Volume Gel]2.72 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.85
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Stimulating [Film]1.36 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.73
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Messiness [Low Volume Gel]1.65 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.69
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Messiness [High Volume Gel]2.11 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.81
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Messiness [Film]1.39 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.49
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Leakage [Low Volume Gel]2.05 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.89
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Leakage [High Volume Gel]2.44 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.95
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Leakage [Film]1.48 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.62
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Naturalness [Low Volume Gel]3.38 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.81
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Naturalness [High Volume Gel]3.44 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.93
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Naturalness [Film]2.40 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.23
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Lubricity [Low Volume Gel]3.10 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.2
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Lubricity [High Volume Gel]3.50 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.08
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Lubricity [Film]1.38 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.63
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Effortful [Low Volume Gel]1.41 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.59
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Effortful [High Volume Gel]1.17 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.46
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Effortful [Film]3.08 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.53
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Pleasure [Low Volume Gel]2.35 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.97
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Pleasure [High Volume Gel]2.93 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.04
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Pleasure [Film]1.43 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.87
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Pre-Sex Leakage [Low Volume Gel]2.08 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.34
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Pre-Sex Leakage [High Volume Gel]2.89 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.49
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Pre-Sex Leakage [Film]1.25 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.72
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Noticeable [Low Volume Gel]2.14 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Noticeable [High Volume Gel]2.65 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.29
Female MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Noticeable [Film]1.75 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.19
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Initial Penetration [Low Volume Gel]3.86 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.75
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Initial Penetration [High Volume Gel]3.83 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.74
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Leakage [High Volume Gel]2.10 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.77
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Initial Penetration [Film]2.06 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.03
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Noticeable [Film]1.78 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.78
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Initial Lubrication [Low Volume Gel]3.58 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.72
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Initial Lubrication [High Volume Gel]3.78 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.77
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Leakage [Film]1.38 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.45
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Initial Lubrication [Film]2.60 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.04
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Effortful [High Volume Gel]1.19 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.47
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Product Awareness [Low Volume Gel]2.72 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.95
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Naturalness [Low Volume Gel]3.17 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.95
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Product Awareness [High Volume Gel]3.10 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.16
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Pleasure [Film]2.08 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.9
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Product Awareness [Film]2.04 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.88
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Naturalness [High Volume Gel]3.17 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.97
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Wetness [Low Volume Gel]3.00 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.91
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Effortful [Film]2.81 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.26
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Wetness [High Volume Gel]3.38 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.04
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Naturalness [Film]2.60 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.42
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Wetness [Film]1.94 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.86
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Noticeable [High Volume Gel]2.89 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.07
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Stimulating [Low Volume Gel]2.58 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.04
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Lubricity [Low Volume Gel]3.15 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.1
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Stimulating [High Volume Gel]2.66 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.98
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Pleasure [Low Volume Gel]2.88 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.82
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Stimulating [Film]1.99 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.92
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Lubricity [High Volume Gel]3.42 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.05
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Messiness [Low Volume Gel]1.84 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.7
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Noticeable [Low Volume Gel]2.54 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.01
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Messiness [High Volume Gel]2.18 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.8
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Lubricity [Film]1.63 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.8
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Messiness [Film]1.32 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.33
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Pleasure [High Volume Gel]2.92 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Perceived Leakage [Low Volume Gel]1.73 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.57
Male MembersUser Sensory Perception & Experience (USPE; Perceptibility) Scale Item MeansSEX: Effortful [Low Volume Gel]1.53 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.76

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026