The Effect of Plantar Vibration on the Progression of Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral Neuropathy Clinical Trial

Official title:

The Effect of Plantar Vibration on the Progression of Peripheral Neuropathy

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00822198
• Other study ID #: 240-05
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: January 13, 2009
• Last updated: January 13, 2009
• Start date: March 2006
• Est. completion date: August 2007

Study information

• Verified date: January 2009
• Source: Binghamton University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: United States: Institutional Review Board
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of vibration of the plantar surface of the foot on peripheral neuropathy.

Description:

Background: Peripheral neuropathy has a prevalence approaching 10% in the general population. The pathophysiology of peripheral neuropathy is poorly understood or undetermined. While many causes of peripheral neuropathy are known, a significant number of cases are idiopathic. The most common cause of neuropathy relates to glucose intolerance or overt diabetes. Exogenous factors such as smoking constrict small cutaneous blood vessels, thereby inhibiting small nerve fiber nutrition. Symptoms of neuropathy include numbness, pain, difficulty with balance, lack of temperature perception, and weakness which can lead to significant disability. Classification of neuropathies can be made based on nerve fiber size: large fiber, small fiber and mixed large and small fiber types. Plantar vibration which affects large fibers has been demonstrated to enhance peripheral and systemic blood flow, peripheral lymphatic and venous drainage (Stewart, Karman, Montgomery, & McLeod, 2005). Since fluid retention in axons, nerve sheaths and surrounding connective tissues may contribute to neuropathy, it is hypothesized that plantar vibration may repair the small peripheral fibers, thereby improving the symptoms of neuropathy.

Purposes:

1. To assess the effect of plantar vibration on regeneration of small peripheral nerve fibers, peripheral neuropathy and quality of life in patients with diagnosed peripheral neuropathy.

2. To assess the correlation of health history, demographic variables, diet, alcohol and smoking history with small fiber neuropathy analysis by skin biopsy and plantar vibration.

Design: The study will employ a cross-over experimental design with subjects acting as their own controls. Independent variables are the plantar stimulation (intervention), and the characteristics of the subjects that include health history, demographic variables, self reported diet, alcohol, and smoking history, as well as urinary cotinine (a quantitative measure of smoking history). The dependent variables are the assay of intraepidermal nerve fibers in small-fiber neuropathy, clinical assessment of peripheral neuropathy, serum levels of Hgb A1C, and quality of life measurement.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 24
• Est. completion date: August 2007
• Est. primary completion date: August 2007
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Both
• Age group: 30 Years to 70 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical evidence of neuropathy

• Normal to moderate evidence of neuropathy on nerve conduction studies

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently on medications with a known risk of neuropathy

• Pregnant

• Evidence of peripheral vascular disease

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
• Peripheral Neuropathy

Intervention

Device:
• plantar vibration
Subjects in the experimental component of the trial will be provided with a Juvent 1000-CS device in their home or workplace. The device will be placed in a convenient location where the device does not represent a trip hazard, and yet is readily accessible for use. The subjects will be instructed to use the device whenever it is convenient to do so, either by standing on the device, or by sitting with their feet on the device. Downloads of usage data will be obtained intermittently. Period interviews with the subjects will be conducted to ensure that the device is operating and that no problems are encountered with device usage.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Neurology Associates	Corning	New York

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Binghamton University	NY State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR)

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	intraepidermal nerve fiber density in ankle and thigh		0, 6 and 12 months	No
Secondary	quality of life score		0, 6 and 12 months	No
Secondary	clinical assessment of peripheral neuropathy		0, 6 and 12 months	No