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Safety and Effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)-Assisted Weight Loss

Safety and Effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)-Assisted Weight Loss

Status
Terminated
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03299881
Enrollment
77
Registered
2017-10-03
Start date
2017-09-05
Completion date
2018-04-01
Last updated
2021-11-10

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

Conditions

Obesity, Overweight

Brief summary

This study is a randomized, adaptive, parallel arm study. The treatment group will receive the Elira wearable patch system and provided instructions for use and advised to follow a 1200 calorie diet. The control group will be asked to follow a 12 calorie diet only. Each group will be followed for 12 weeks. Total body weight loss will be measured as well as appetite changes. Safety data will be collected throughout the study period. Safety and effectiveness will be determined based on differences between the groups.

Detailed description

This study employs a randomized, adaptive, parallel arm study in which, cohorts of enrolled subjects (25 per arm) are assessed for dose response and progression to achievement of primary and secondary endpoints. Enrollment will be up to 300 subjects at 4 US centers. After signing informed consent, subjects will be screened during a one week screening/baseline period to determine if they meet the inclusion criteria and exhibit none of the exclusion criteria. Weight, blood pressure, blood lipids, HgA1c, pregnancy test (for women of childbearing age), and patient questionnaires will be collected. If eligible, subjects will be randomized to treatment or control groups. The treatment group will receive training on the Elira Wearable Patch System and the first TENS session will be administered in the investigators office. Both groups will receive an electronic scale and instructions on 1200 calorie diet as well as diary completion requirements to be completed throughout the study. All subjects will be required to have in office follow-up visits every 4 weeks for 12 weeks. Up to 2 additional follow-up visits will be permitted within that 12 week time period.

Interventions

The Elira wearable patch system is a RF coupled, wearable transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) device controlled via Bluetooth by a smart phone unit running a custom application which directs therapy from the patch within safe limits set by a clinician and also includes a weight loss diary.

BEHAVIORALDiet & Exercise

Subjects to be instructed on a healthy 1200 calorie diet.

Sponsors

Elira Therapeutics, Inc.
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Randomized, adaptive parallel arm study

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Subject is between 18 - 65 years of age inclusive. 2. Subject has a BMI of 25-35 kg/ m\^2 inclusive. 3. Subject has signed the informed consent form and is able to comply with study protocol and adhere to study visit schedule. 4. Subject is able to wear and use a wearable, patch TENS system. 5. Subject is able to use a touch screen hand held smart phone. 6. Subject is fluent in English and can complete patient questionnaires. 7. Subject can comply with a 1200 calorie the recommended diet for the duration of the study. 8. Subject is male or non-pregnant, non-lactating female, who agrees to use effective contraceptive methods throughout the length of the trial based on PI approval. 9. Females of childbearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test at enrollment visit, prior to placement of ELIRA device.

Exclusion criteria

1. Subject has any known gastrointestinal disorder that in the opinion of the PI precludes enrollment into the trial. 2. Subject has had a prior bariatric procedure. 3. Subject has any significant multisystem disease in the opinion of the PI. 4. Subject has \> 6.5 HbA1c. 5. Subject has significant cardiac arrhythmia, ectopy, or significant cardiovascular disease. 6. Subject has an existing implanted electrical stimulator (e.g., pacemaker, AICD). 7. Subject is a female of child-bearing potential who is pregnant or intends to become pregnant during the trial. 8. Subject has a history of any malignancy in the last 2 years. 9. Subject has had a weight change of + 5% of his/her Total Body Weight in the 3 months prior to enrollment. 10. Subject has a moderate / severe psychiatric disorder. 11. Subject has a diagnosed neurological disease. 12. Subject has a diagnosed eating disorder. 13. Subject has a skin disorder affecting the thoracic dermatomes. 14. Subject has abdominal surgery or other scars which may interfere with stimulation in the opinion of the PI. 15. Subject is currently enrolled in other, potentially confounding research. 16. Subject has known allergic reaction to materials in the electrodes and/or is otherwise unable to tolerate stimulation with the wearable TENS system. 17. Subject is actively participating or unwilling to discontinue participation in another weight loss program. 18. Subject is taking weight loss control medications including but not limited to OTC medications, Metformin, and Belviq. 19. Subject is unable to take anti-nausea medications planned for the study. 20. Inability to walk at least 0.8 kilometers per day (10 minutes of continuous walking). 21. Current smoker or user of nicotine product or smoking cessation within 1 year of the screening date. 22. History of treatment for or current abuse of drugs or alcohol. 23. A score of ≥10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), demonstrating moderate depression. 24. Any subject that the investigator considers inappropriate for the study for medical reasons. 25. Subject has a history of migraine and/or is taking Topiramate for severe headache disorders. 26. Subject is on hormonal or other drug therapy which may alter antral motility or appetite, per physician discretion.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Treatment Emergent Adverse Events12 weeksSafety/Tolerability will be assessed by the non-inferiority of incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs), unanticipated DAEs (USAEs), device-related SAEs (DSAEs), and unanticipated device-related SAEs (UDAEs) that are associated with the TENS therapy throughout the stimulation and the follow-up period versus historical control (compared with other TENS systems).

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Treatment
The Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulator (TENS) Elira wearable patch system will be applied to varying locations on the T6/T7 dermatone for 30 minutes three times a day after meals. Subjects will be instructed to follow a 1200 calorie healthy diet and record any changes in appetite. Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulator (TENS): The Elira wearable patch system is a RF coupled, wearable transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) device controlled via Bluetooth by a smart phone unit running a custom application which directs therapy from the patch within safe limits set by a clinician and also includes a weight loss diary. Diet & Exercise: Subjects to be instructed on a healthy 1200 calorie diet.
39
Control
Open label diet and exercise counseling only. Subjects will be instructed to follow a healthy 1200 calorie diet and record any changes in appetite. Diet & Exercise: Subjects to be instructed on a healthy 1200 calorie diet.
38
Total77

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyStudy Termination1713

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicControlTreatmentTotal
Age, Continuous46.5 years48.2 years47.4 years
BMI29.2 kg/m^229.9 kg/m^229.6 kg/m^2
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race/Ethnicity
Black
3 Participants2 Participants5 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race/Ethnicity
Other
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race/Ethnicity
White
35 Participants36 Participants71 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
38 participants39 participants77 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
37 Participants39 Participants76 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Weight174.6 pounds178.5 pounds176.6 pounds

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 390 / 38
other
Total, other adverse events
39 / 3923 / 38
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 390 / 38

Outcome results

Primary

Treatment Emergent Adverse Events

Safety/Tolerability will be assessed by the non-inferiority of incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs), unanticipated DAEs (USAEs), device-related SAEs (DSAEs), and unanticipated device-related SAEs (UDAEs) that are associated with the TENS therapy throughout the stimulation and the follow-up period versus historical control (compared with other TENS systems).

Time frame: 12 weeks

Population: Study was terminated and recruitment was stopped. Sincere efforts were made but technical difficulties with device prevented the necessary data collection to allow specified outcome analysis. Adverse event data is reported.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
TreatmentTreatment Emergent Adverse Events0 Serious Adverse Events
ControlTreatment Emergent Adverse Events0 Serious Adverse Events

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