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Wearable LITUS Device for Osteoarthritis of the Knee: a Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

ZetrOZ Wearable Ultrasound Clinical Study

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02083861
Enrollment
93
Registered
2014-03-11
Start date
2014-03-31
Completion date
2014-10-31
Last updated
2018-05-07

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

Conditions

Knee Osteoarthritis

Keywords

osteoarthritis, arthritis, musculoskeletal, connective tissue disease, ultrasound, pain, mobility, heat, strength, ZetrOZ, LITUS, Sam, grade 1, grade 2

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to measure the effectiveness of a wearable therapeutic ultrasound device in patients with stage I and stage II knee osteoarthritis. The ability of the device to reduce pain, increase mobility, increase range of motion and muscle strength of the affected leg, and improve quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis will be evaluated.

Detailed description

This is an eight week study to clinically evaluate the effect of the low intensity long duration ultrasound (LITUS) device on symptoms of patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis. The device, sam® has been FDA-cleared for use. For the first two weeks of the study, baseline data will be collected as patients report pain scores (NRS) three times per day. During the following 6 weeks, patients will self-apply the wearable LITUS device to their affected knee for 4 hours daily. Each day of the study, pain scores (NRS) will be recorded immediately before application of LITUS device as well as 30 minutes, 2-hours and 4-hours after applying the device. A quality of life assessment (WOMAC), muscle strength and range of motion assessment (JTech) will be performed prior to the patient beginning the protocol and at the conclusion of the protocol. Up to 93 subjects will be recruited from neighboring communities to the study site. The study is designed to reach a target patient population which includes rural citizens and socioeconomic disadvantaged individuals where non-pharmacotherapies do not exist to manage pain. Subjects will be randomly assigned to active (60%) and placebo groups (40%). The sponsor and investigators are blinded as to which type of device each patient is assigned. The study will be monitored by an external monitor and a data safety monitoring board (DSMB).

Interventions

DEVICESam Ultrasonic Diathermy Device

Patients apply the Sam Ultrasonic Diathermy Device daily for 4 hours of continuous therapeutic ultrasound at 3 megahertz (MHz) frequency and 0.132 Watts/cm2.

Sponsors

National Institutes of Health (NIH)
CollaboratorNIH
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
CollaboratorNIH
ZetrOZ, Inc.
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
35 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Physician-diagnosed mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis (OARSI atlas grades 1-2) based on fixed-flexion x-ray radiological findings for osteophytes and joint space narrowing within the past 12 months * Fulfill the American College of Rheumatology clinical and radiological diagnostic criteria for knee OA * 35-80 years of age * Report a frequent pain score between 3-7 (NRS range: 0-10) during the week preceding enrollment * Report that knee pain negatively affects quality of life * Willing not to use any cream, gel, or topical solution during the administration of treatment other than the approved ultrasound gel provided to the subject at the initiation of the study * Deemed appropriate by their physician or by the study site physician to participate

Exclusion criteria

* Cannot successfully demonstrate the ability to put on and take off the device * Display any condition which, in the judgment of the investigator, would make participation in the study unacceptable, including, but not limited to, the subject's ability to understand and follow instructions. * Have severe OA or have little to no cartilage in the knee * Have knee replacement, other surgical intervention, or hyaluronidase injection in the affected knee in the past 6 months * Are non-ambulatory * Participated in a clinical trial for an investigational drug and/or agent within 30 days prior to screening * Modify their medications during the course of the study (medications and doses must remain constant throughout the study) * Currently taking steroids * Have contraindication to radiograph * Have a secondary cause of arthritis (metabolic or inflammatory)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Pain on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) Change From Baseline to Study ConclusionBaseline, Week 6The numeric rating scale (NRS) was used to assess change in pain from baseline to study conclusion. NRS range from 0-10 with 0 being no pain and 10 the worst pain possible.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Quality of Life (WOMAC) Change From BaselineBaseline, Week 6WOMAC questionnaire will be utilized (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index). WOMAC was divided into 3 categories: pain, stiffness, function and total score. The pain category consists of five scores from 0-10, 0 is no pain 10 is worst pain possible for a range of 0 - 50 points. The stiffness category consists of two scores from 0-10, 0 is no stiffness 10 is worst stiffness possible for a range of 0 - 20 points. The function score consists of 17 scores from 0-10, 0 is normal function and 10 is severely limited function, for a range of 0 - 170 points. Categories were multiplied by 10 for analysis. Total score is the sum of pain, stiffness, and function scores (range of 0 - 2400).
Range of Motion Change From Baseline in Treated KneeBaseline, Week 6JTech equipment was used to evaluate range of motion range of motion using an inclinometer (www.jtechmedical.com) in flexion and extension of the treated knee. 0 degrees is fully extended and 150 degrees is normal flexion. Positive flexion change indicates improvement in flexion. Negative extension indicates improvement in extension.
Muscle Strength Change From Baseline in Treated KneeBaseline to 6 WeeksMuscle strength in flexion, extension, and rotation were measured using JTECH muscle testing equipment.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Active Ultrasound Device
Patients (n=55) receive treatment from the Sam Ultrasonic Diathermy Device for 4 hours every day for 6 weeks. The active device emits continuous ultrasound at 3 megahertz (MHz) frequency and 0.132 watts/cm2 intensity. Sam Ultrasonic Diathermy Device: Patients apply the Sam Ultrasonic Diathermy Device daily for 4 hours of continuous therapeutic ultrasound at 3 megahertz (MHz) frequency and 0.132 Watts/cm2.
55
Placebo Ultrasound Device
Patients (n=35) wear the Sam Ultrasonic Diathermy Device for 4 hours every day for 6 weeks. The placebo device appears and operates identically to the active device except that it does not emit ultrasound. Sam Ultrasonic Diathermy Device: Patients apply the Sam Ultrasonic Diathermy Device daily for 4 hours of continuous therapeutic ultrasound at 3 megahertz (MHz) frequency and 0.132 Watts/cm2.
35
Total90

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicActive Ultrasound DevicePlacebo Ultrasound DeviceTotal
Age, Continuous53.6 Years51.1 Years52.6 Years
BMI34.9 kg/m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.9
34.5 kg/m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.3
34.7 kg/m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.6
Sex: Female, Male
Female
28 Participants17 Participants45 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
23 Participants16 Participants39 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 550 / 35
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 550 / 35
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 550 / 35

Outcome results

Primary

Pain on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) Change From Baseline to Study Conclusion

The numeric rating scale (NRS) was used to assess change in pain from baseline to study conclusion. NRS range from 0-10 with 0 being no pain and 10 the worst pain possible.

Time frame: Baseline, Week 6

Population: Patients that completed the entire study were included in analysis.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Active Ultrasound DevicePain on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) Change From Baseline to Study Conclusion-1.96 units on a scale
Placebo Ultrasound DevicePain on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) Change From Baseline to Study Conclusion-0.85 units on a scale
Secondary

Muscle Strength Change From Baseline in Treated Knee

Muscle strength in flexion, extension, and rotation were measured using JTECH muscle testing equipment.

Time frame: Baseline to 6 Weeks

Population: 17 patient subset was assessed for muscle strength pilot data.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)
Active Ultrasound DeviceMuscle Strength Change From Baseline in Treated KneeExtension1.91 Newtons
Active Ultrasound DeviceMuscle Strength Change From Baseline in Treated KneeFlexion1.34 Newtons
Active Ultrasound DeviceMuscle Strength Change From Baseline in Treated KneeRotation3.21 Newtons
Placebo Ultrasound DeviceMuscle Strength Change From Baseline in Treated KneeRotation0.68 Newtons
Placebo Ultrasound DeviceMuscle Strength Change From Baseline in Treated KneeFlexion1.01 Newtons
Placebo Ultrasound DeviceMuscle Strength Change From Baseline in Treated KneeExtension1.60 Newtons
Secondary

Quality of Life (WOMAC) Change From Baseline

WOMAC questionnaire will be utilized (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index). WOMAC was divided into 3 categories: pain, stiffness, function and total score. The pain category consists of five scores from 0-10, 0 is no pain 10 is worst pain possible for a range of 0 - 50 points. The stiffness category consists of two scores from 0-10, 0 is no stiffness 10 is worst stiffness possible for a range of 0 - 20 points. The function score consists of 17 scores from 0-10, 0 is normal function and 10 is severely limited function, for a range of 0 - 170 points. Categories were multiplied by 10 for analysis. Total score is the sum of pain, stiffness, and function scores (range of 0 - 2400).

Time frame: Baseline, Week 6

Population: Patients that completed the entire study were included in analysis.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)
Active Ultrasound DeviceQuality of Life (WOMAC) Change From BaselineWOMAC Pain Score Change-107.3 units on a scale
Active Ultrasound DeviceQuality of Life (WOMAC) Change From BaselineWOMAC Stiffness Score Change-45.0 units on a scale
Active Ultrasound DeviceQuality of Life (WOMAC) Change From BaselineWOMAC Function Score Change-352.3 units on a scale
Active Ultrasound DeviceQuality of Life (WOMAC) Change From BaselineWOMAC Total Score Change-504.6 units on a scale
Placebo Ultrasound DeviceQuality of Life (WOMAC) Change From BaselineWOMAC Total Score Change-311.2 units on a scale
Placebo Ultrasound DeviceQuality of Life (WOMAC) Change From BaselineWOMAC Pain Score Change-60.8 units on a scale
Placebo Ultrasound DeviceQuality of Life (WOMAC) Change From BaselineWOMAC Function Score Change-220.1 units on a scale
Placebo Ultrasound DeviceQuality of Life (WOMAC) Change From BaselineWOMAC Stiffness Score Change-17.1 units on a scale
Secondary

Range of Motion Change From Baseline in Treated Knee

JTech equipment was used to evaluate range of motion range of motion using an inclinometer (www.jtechmedical.com) in flexion and extension of the treated knee. 0 degrees is fully extended and 150 degrees is normal flexion. Positive flexion change indicates improvement in flexion. Negative extension indicates improvement in extension.

Time frame: Baseline, Week 6

Population: 17 patient subset was assessed for range of motion pilot data.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)
Active Ultrasound DeviceRange of Motion Change From Baseline in Treated KneeFlexion Change-6.38 Degrees
Active Ultrasound DeviceRange of Motion Change From Baseline in Treated KneeExtension Change-17.75 Degrees
Placebo Ultrasound DeviceRange of Motion Change From Baseline in Treated KneeFlexion Change-2.22 Degrees
Placebo Ultrasound DeviceRange of Motion Change From Baseline in Treated KneeExtension Change-5.56 Degrees

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 5, 2026