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An Investigator Initiated, Within-Subject, Proof of Concept Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Voltaren Gel in Subjects With DOMS

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Within-Subject, Proof of Concept Study to Assess the Analgesic Efficacy and Safety of Voltaren Gel (1% Diclofenac Sodium) Compared to Placebo in Subjects Experiencing Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02087748
Enrollment
24
Registered
2014-03-14
Start date
2014-03-31
Completion date
2014-05-31
Last updated
2014-12-10

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

Conditions

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, Pain

Keywords

DOMS

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate analgesic efficacy of Topical Voltaren Gel (diclofenac sodium gel) 1% applied QID compared to Placebo in Subjects Experiencing Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness.

Detailed description

The purpose of this randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, within-subject study is to evaluate the efficacy of topical diclofenac sodium gel (DSG) 1% in reducing pain associated with delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Following exercise, subjects reporting significant DOMS received topical DSG 1% applied to 1 leg and placebo applied to the other every 6 hours for 48 hours.

Interventions

DRUG1% diclofenac sodium gel

Diclofenac sodium 1% gel 4 grams applied topically Q6 hour for 48 hours

DRUGPlacebo

Placebo gel 4gm applied topically Q6 hour for 48 hours

Sponsors

Novartis Pharmaceuticals
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Lotus Clinical Research, LLC
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Patients who provide written informed consent prior to enrollment * Male or female and 18 to 35 years of age. * Patients who are not engaged in regular lower extremity fitness activities for more than 2 times per week for ≥2 consecutive weeks in the past 6 months prior to screening. * Female patients are eligible only if all of the following apply: * Not pregnant (subjects of child bearing potential must have a negative beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) pregnancy test at screening); * Not lactating; * Not planning to become pregnant within the duration of the study; * Patients who are willing and capable of understanding and cooperating with the requirements of the study. * Patients able to understand and communicate in English. Randomization Inclusion Criteria: * Patients who report a DOMS score ≥4 at rest (numerical rating scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is no pain and 10 is worst pain imaginable) secondary to delayed muscle soreness on both right and left legs. The DOMS scores at rest reported for each leg must be within 3 points of each other. * Patients must report a categorical pain rating of moderate to severe for each leg on a scale of none, mild, moderate, or severe prior to randomization.

Exclusion criteria

* Have a body mass index of \>32 kg/m2 * History of active or suspected esophageal, gastric, pyloric channel, or duodenal ulceration or bleeding within 30 days preceding screening. * Psychiatric disease including major depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety, or other medical condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would interfere with the evaluation of study drug efficacy or safety * History of clinically significant cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, metabolic, pulmonary, neurological, hematological, autoimmune, psychiatric or endocrine disorders, including individuals with Type I or Type II diabetes, or other clinically significant medical condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, may preclude safe study participation. * Have had surgery or scheduled to undergo surgery of the hips or knees within 6 months prior to screening and/or during the study participation. * Have significant biomechanical abnormality in the lower extremity that would preclude study evaluations, such as: peripheral or central neurological disease, significant back pain; symptomatic osteoarthritis of the hips, knew, or feet, or other painful conditions of the lower extremities. * Have any type of orthopedic and/or prosthetic device or any skin abnormalities on the legs that may interfere with local tolerability. * Currently taking corticosteroids or topical analgesic or anti inflammatory treatment whose the duration of action may affect study evaluations. * Malignancy in the last 5 years, with the exception of nonmetastatic basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin that has been surgically cured, or any Stage 1 cancer or carcinoma in situ cured by resection or localized radiation at least 5 years prior to screening with no evidence of recurrence. * History of allergy (cutaneous or systemic), hypersensitivity, or asthma to any of the following: diclofenac, paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid, salicylic acid, other NSAID or cyclooxygenase 2-specific inhibitor (COXIB) or known intolerance (cutaneous or systemic) to any of the ingredients in the gel, such as isopropyl alcohol or propylene glycol. * History of known narcotic, analgesic, or alcohol abuse. * Any cognitive impairment that would, in the opinion of the Investigator, preclude study participation or compliance with study procedures (e.g., Alzheimer's dementia). * Previously received an investigational product within 30 days before the scheduled dose of study medication.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Mean Reduction in SPID Scores of DOMS on Walking Over 24 Hours7 daysThe primary outcome is the analgesic efficacy of Topical Voltaren® gel compared to placebo in the reduction of the pain associated with DOMS. The statistical comparison of interest will be the mean reduction in DOMS scores upon walking in the leg receiving Topical Voltaren® gel vs the leg receiving placebo over the first 24 hours post treatment. Pain intensity was assessed at predefined time points (Predose, 3, 9, 15, 21, and 24 hours after first drug administration) using an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale (NPRS) where a score of zero indicates no pain and 10 indicates pain as bad as you can imagine. Pain Intensity Differences at each predefined time point (calculated as post-baseline NPRS values - baseline NPRS values) were analyzed. The theoretical maximum range of Sum of pain intensity differences (SPID24) is from -50 (indicative of an increase in pain) to 50 (indicative of a decrease in pain).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Mean Reduction in SPID Scores of DOMS at Rest Over 24 Hours7 daysThe secondary outcome is the mean reduction in DOMS scores at rest in the leg receiving Topical Voltaren® gel versus the leg receiving placebo over the first 24 hours post treatment initiation. Pain intensity was assessed at predefined time points (at Predose, 3, 9, 15, 21, and 24 hours after first drug administration) using an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale (NPRS) where a score of zero indicates no pain and a score of 10 indicates pain as bad as you can imagine. Pain Intensity Differences at each predefined time point (calculated as post-baseline NPRS values - baseline NPRS values) were analyzed. The theoretical maximum range of Sum of pain intensity differences (SPID24) is from -50 (indicative of an increase in pain) to 50 (indicative of a decrease in pain).
Mean Reduction in SPID Scores of DOMS While Standing Over 24 Hours7 daysThe secondary outcome is the mean reduction in DOMS scores while standing in the leg receiving Topical Voltaren® gel versus the leg receiving placebo over the first 24 hours post treatment initiation. Pain intensity was assessed at predefined time points (at Predose, 3, 9, 15, 21, and 24 hours after first drug administration) using an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale (NPRS) where a score of zero indicates no pain and a score of ten indicates pain as bad as you can imagine. Pain Intensity Differences at each predefined time point (calculated as post-baseline NPRS values - baseline NPRS values) were analyzed. The theoretical maximum range of Sum of pain intensity differences (SPID24) is from -50 (indicative of an increase in pain) to 50 (indicative of a decrease in pain).

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Dates of recruitment period: First subject was enrolled in March 2014 and the last subject was enrolled in April 2014. Types of location: Investigative site was located at one research center.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
1% Diclofenac Sodium Gel
Diclofenac sodium 1% gel 4 grams applied topically Q6 hours for 48 hours to one leg, and placebo to the other leg.
24
Total24

Baseline characteristics

Characteristic1% Diclofenac Sodium Gel
Age, Continuous28.0 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.58
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
7 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
17 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
9 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
13 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
9 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
15 Participants

Adverse events

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

Outcome results

Primary

Mean Reduction in SPID Scores of DOMS on Walking Over 24 Hours

The primary outcome is the analgesic efficacy of Topical Voltaren® gel compared to placebo in the reduction of the pain associated with DOMS. The statistical comparison of interest will be the mean reduction in DOMS scores upon walking in the leg receiving Topical Voltaren® gel vs the leg receiving placebo over the first 24 hours post treatment. Pain intensity was assessed at predefined time points (Predose, 3, 9, 15, 21, and 24 hours after first drug administration) using an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale (NPRS) where a score of zero indicates no pain and 10 indicates pain as bad as you can imagine. Pain Intensity Differences at each predefined time point (calculated as post-baseline NPRS values - baseline NPRS values) were analyzed. The theoretical maximum range of Sum of pain intensity differences (SPID24) is from -50 (indicative of an increase in pain) to 50 (indicative of a decrease in pain).

Time frame: 7 days

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
1% Diclofenac Sodium GelMean Reduction in SPID Scores of DOMS on Walking Over 24 Hours34.87 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 22.86
PlaceboMean Reduction in SPID Scores of DOMS on Walking Over 24 Hours23.62 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 19.38
p-value: 0.0324t-test, 2 sided
Secondary

Mean Reduction in SPID Scores of DOMS at Rest Over 24 Hours

The secondary outcome is the mean reduction in DOMS scores at rest in the leg receiving Topical Voltaren® gel versus the leg receiving placebo over the first 24 hours post treatment initiation. Pain intensity was assessed at predefined time points (at Predose, 3, 9, 15, 21, and 24 hours after first drug administration) using an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale (NPRS) where a score of zero indicates no pain and a score of 10 indicates pain as bad as you can imagine. Pain Intensity Differences at each predefined time point (calculated as post-baseline NPRS values - baseline NPRS values) were analyzed. The theoretical maximum range of Sum of pain intensity differences (SPID24) is from -50 (indicative of an increase in pain) to 50 (indicative of a decrease in pain).

Time frame: 7 days

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
1% Diclofenac Sodium GelMean Reduction in SPID Scores of DOMS at Rest Over 24 Hours28.06 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 23.84
PlaceboMean Reduction in SPID Scores of DOMS at Rest Over 24 Hours24.81 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 20.9
p-value: 0.3688t-test, 2 sided
Secondary

Mean Reduction in SPID Scores of DOMS While Standing Over 24 Hours

The secondary outcome is the mean reduction in DOMS scores while standing in the leg receiving Topical Voltaren® gel versus the leg receiving placebo over the first 24 hours post treatment initiation. Pain intensity was assessed at predefined time points (at Predose, 3, 9, 15, 21, and 24 hours after first drug administration) using an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale (NPRS) where a score of zero indicates no pain and a score of ten indicates pain as bad as you can imagine. Pain Intensity Differences at each predefined time point (calculated as post-baseline NPRS values - baseline NPRS values) were analyzed. The theoretical maximum range of Sum of pain intensity differences (SPID24) is from -50 (indicative of an increase in pain) to 50 (indicative of a decrease in pain).

Time frame: 7 days

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
1% Diclofenac Sodium GelMean Reduction in SPID Scores of DOMS While Standing Over 24 Hours33.9 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 23.29
PlaceboMean Reduction in SPID Scores of DOMS While Standing Over 24 Hours21.62 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 18.8
p-value: 0.0275t-test, 2 sided

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