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Clinical Evaluation of Fractional Radiofrequency for the Treatment of Acne Scarring

Clinical Evaluation of the Safety and Performance of Fractional Radiofrequency for the Treatment and Reduction of Acne Scarring

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03767153
Enrollment
25
Registered
2018-12-06
Start date
2018-11-05
Completion date
2019-12-22
Last updated
2021-03-23

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

Conditions

Acne Scars

Keywords

acne scarring, acne scar, fractional radiofrequency, fractional RF

Brief summary

Prospective, single centre, evaluator-blind study of the safety and performance of fractional radiofrequency (RF) for the treatment and reduction of acne scarring. The study will evaluate 50 treatment sites in subjects requesting treatment of their acne scarring. The study will involve three treatments on both sides of the face with 3-5 week intervals between each treatment. Subjects will be followed at 6 and 12 weeks after their last treatment. Analysis will be performed on all subjects who receive at least one treatment.

Interventions

The Venus Viva™ fractional RF applicator has been shown in clinical studies to improve various skin conditions related to aging and alter collagen structures such as wrinkles, rhytids and scars. Beginning with the Baseline visit (Visit 1), subjects will receive a total of 3 treatments approximately 3-5 weeks apart. The left and right side of the face will be treated and assessed as independent sites, and the same applicator tip configuration will be used to treat both sides at all 3 treatment visits.

Sponsors

Venus Concept
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

Blinded assessment of photographs taken at baseline and 6, 12 weeks post final treatment by independent evaluators.

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

1. Healthy, male or female subjects 22 years of age or over who are seeking treatment and reduction of their facial acne scarring. 2. Able to read, understand and voluntarily provide written Informed Consent. 3. Able and willing to comply with the treatment/follow-up schedule and requirements. 4. Women of child-bearing age are required to be using a reliable method of birth control at least 3 months prior to study enrollment and for the duration of the study and have a negative Urine Pregnancy test at baseline.

Exclusion criteria

1. Implantable defibrillators, cardiac pacemakers, and other metal implants 2. Subjects with any implantable metal device in the treatment area 3. Pacemaker or internal defibrillator, or any other active electrical implant anywhere in the body (e.g. cochlear implant). 4. Permanent implant in the treated area, such as metal plates and screws, or an injected chemical substance. 5. Current or history of any kind of cancer, or pre-malignant moles. 6. Severe concurrent conditions, such as cardiac disorders. 7. Pregnancy or intending to become pregnant during the study and nursing. 8. Impaired immune system due to immunosuppressive diseases, such as AIDS and HIV, or use of immunosuppressive medications. 9. History of diseases stimulated by heat, such as recurrent herpes simplex in the treatment area; may be enrolled only after a prophylactic regime has been followed for 2 weeks or longer prior to enrollment, or according to Investigator's discretion . 10. Poorly controlled endocrine disorders, such as diabetes. 11. Any active condition in the treatment area, such as sores, psoriasis, eczema, and rash. 12. History of skin disorders, such as keloids, abnormal wound healing, as well as very dry and fragile skin. 13. History of bleeding coagulopathies, or use of anticoagulants (excluding daily aspirin). 14. Facial dermabrasion, facial resurfacing, or deep chemical peeling within the last three months, if face is treated. 15. Use of isotretinoin (Accutane®) or other retinoids within six months prior to treatment or as per physician's discretion. 16. Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS, e.g. ibuprofen-containing agents) one week before and after each treatment session. 17. Any surgical procedure in the treatment area within the last six months or before complete healing. 18. Treating over tattoo or permanent makeup. 19. Excessively tanned skin from sun, tanning beds or tanning creams within the last two weeks. 20. As per the practitioner's discretion, refrain from treating any condition which might make it unsafe for the patient.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Overall Acne Scar Improvement Assessed by the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) at 12 Weeks.12 Weeks Post-Final TreatmentEvaluate the efficacy of overall facial acne scar improvement assessed live by the Investigator and a subject assessment of facial appearance including the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). The Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale is a seven-grade subjective test. Three independent evaluators evaluated before and after photographs and graded them for change. Possible responses were (3) Very Much Improved, (2) Much Improved, (1) Improved, (0) No Change, (-1) Worse, (-2) Much Worse, and (-3) Very Much Worse. For reporting of outcomes, the higher the GAIS value, the greater the improvement (Range -3 to 3).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Subject Satisfaction6 Weeks and 12 Weeks Post- Final TreatmentSubjects' assessment of satisfaction with the treatment using a 5 point Subject Satisfaction Scale at 6 Weeks and 12 weeks post-treatment. The Subject Satisfaction Scale is a five-grade subjective test. Participant were asked their satisfaction level post treatment. Possible responses were (4) Very Satisfied, (3) Satisfied, (2) Having No Opinion, (1) Unsatisfied, and (0) Very Unsatisfied.
Subject Scale - Visual Analog Scale for Pain12 Weeks Post-Final TreatmentSubject's assessment of discomfort and pain after treatments as measured by a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS). The Visual Analog Scale is a scale from 0 cm (no pain) and 10 cm (pain as bad as it can be). Possible responses were of 0 to 0.4 cm can be considered (no pain); 0.5 to 4.4 cm (mild pain), 4.5 to 7.4 cm (moderate pain), and 7.5 to 10 cm (severe pain).
Number of Participants With Treatment-Related Adverse Events [Safety]Up to 12 Weeks Post-Final TreatmentSubjects experiencing a treatment-related adverse event (AE) by 12 weeks post-treatment.
Subject Scale - 5 Point Scale for Treatment Tolerability12 Weeks Post-Final TreatmentSubject's assessment of treatment tolerability as measured by a 5 point scale. Participant were asked their tolerability level post treatment. Possible scores were; (4) Very Tolerable, (3) Tolerable, (2) Having No Opinion, (1) Intolerable, and (0) Very Intolerable.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
80 Pin Applicator
Venus Viva: The Venus Viva™ fractional RF applicator has been shown in clinical studies to improve various skin conditions related to aging and alter collagen structures such as wrinkles, rhytids and scars. Beginning with the Baseline visit (Visit 1), subjects will receive a total of 3 treatments approximately 3-5 weeks apart. The left and right side of the face will be treated and assessed as independent sites, and the same applicator tip configuration will be used to treat both sides at all 3 treatment visits.
14
160 Pin Applicator
Venus Viva: The Venus Viva™ fractional RF applicator has been shown in clinical studies to improve various skin conditions related to aging and alter collagen structures such as wrinkles, rhytids and scars. Beginning with the Baseline visit (Visit 1), subjects will receive a total of 3 treatments approximately 3-5 weeks apart. The left and right side of the face will be treated and assessed as independent sites, and the same applicator tip configuration will be used to treat both sides at all 3 treatment visits.
11
Total25

Baseline characteristics

Characteristic80 Pin ApplicatorTotal160 Pin Applicator
Age, Continuous46.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.5
45.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12
45.0 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.1
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
2 Participants3 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
1 Participants2 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
10 Participants19 Participants9 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
14 participants25 participants11 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
10 Participants21 Participants11 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
4 Participants4 Participants0 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 140 / 11
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 140 / 11
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 140 / 11

Outcome results

Primary

Overall Acne Scar Improvement Assessed by the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) at 12 Weeks.

Evaluate the efficacy of overall facial acne scar improvement assessed live by the Investigator and a subject assessment of facial appearance including the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). The Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale is a seven-grade subjective test. Three independent evaluators evaluated before and after photographs and graded them for change. Possible responses were (3) Very Much Improved, (2) Much Improved, (1) Improved, (0) No Change, (-1) Worse, (-2) Much Worse, and (-3) Very Much Worse. For reporting of outcomes, the higher the GAIS value, the greater the improvement (Range -3 to 3).

Time frame: 12 Weeks Post-Final Treatment

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
80 Pin ApplicatorOverall Acne Scar Improvement Assessed by the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) at 12 Weeks.1.06 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.13
160 Pin ApplicatorOverall Acne Scar Improvement Assessed by the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) at 12 Weeks.0.85 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.13
Secondary

Number of Participants With Treatment-Related Adverse Events [Safety]

Subjects experiencing a treatment-related adverse event (AE) by 12 weeks post-treatment.

Time frame: Up to 12 Weeks Post-Final Treatment

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
80 Pin ApplicatorNumber of Participants With Treatment-Related Adverse Events [Safety]0 Participants
160 Pin ApplicatorNumber of Participants With Treatment-Related Adverse Events [Safety]0 Participants
Secondary

Subject Satisfaction

Subjects' assessment of satisfaction with the treatment using a 5 point Subject Satisfaction Scale at 6 Weeks and 12 weeks post-treatment. The Subject Satisfaction Scale is a five-grade subjective test. Participant were asked their satisfaction level post treatment. Possible responses were (4) Very Satisfied, (3) Satisfied, (2) Having No Opinion, (1) Unsatisfied, and (0) Very Unsatisfied.

Time frame: 6 Weeks and 12 Weeks Post- Final Treatment

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
80 Pin ApplicatorSubject Satisfaction6-weeks3.25 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.18
80 Pin ApplicatorSubject Satisfaction12-weeks3.18 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.18
160 Pin ApplicatorSubject Satisfaction6-weeks3.55 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.21
160 Pin ApplicatorSubject Satisfaction12-weeks3.36 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.24
Secondary

Subject Scale - 5 Point Scale for Treatment Tolerability

Subject's assessment of treatment tolerability as measured by a 5 point scale. Participant were asked their tolerability level post treatment. Possible scores were; (4) Very Tolerable, (3) Tolerable, (2) Having No Opinion, (1) Intolerable, and (0) Very Intolerable.

Time frame: 12 Weeks Post-Final Treatment

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
80 Pin ApplicatorSubject Scale - 5 Point Scale for Treatment Tolerability3.36 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.07
160 Pin ApplicatorSubject Scale - 5 Point Scale for Treatment Tolerability3.48 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.06
Secondary

Subject Scale - Visual Analog Scale for Pain

Subject's assessment of discomfort and pain after treatments as measured by a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS). The Visual Analog Scale is a scale from 0 cm (no pain) and 10 cm (pain as bad as it can be). Possible responses were of 0 to 0.4 cm can be considered (no pain); 0.5 to 4.4 cm (mild pain), 4.5 to 7.4 cm (moderate pain), and 7.5 to 10 cm (severe pain).

Time frame: 12 Weeks Post-Final Treatment

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
80 Pin ApplicatorSubject Scale - Visual Analog Scale for Pain2.23 cmStandard Error 0.26
160 Pin ApplicatorSubject Scale - Visual Analog Scale for Pain2.05 cmStandard Error 0.27

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