Vibrotactile Stimulation With Saphenus Device

Amputation Clinical Trial

Official title:

Vibrotactile Stimulation for Improved Gait and Pain After Major Lower Extremity Amputation Using a Non-invasive Vibration Device

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Not yet recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT05961072
• Other study ID #: 2023P001047
• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: August 1, 2023
• Est. completion date: May 1, 2024

Study information

• Verified date: July 2023
• Source: Massachusetts General Hospital
• Contact: Kyle R Eberlin, MD
• Phone: (617) 643-4902
• Email: keberlin[@]mgh.harvard.edu
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

To determine the benefit of the vvibrotactile sensory feedback device.

Description:

In the United States, approximately 150.000 patients undergo a lower extremity amputation annually. With a high change of developing neuropathic pain, decreased mobility due to the missing limb and therefore depressed mental wellbeing, lower extremity amputations are debilitating the patient on multiple facets. From the usage of non-mechanical prosthetic wear, meaningful improvements have been made in surgical amputee care in the recent decades. Osseointegration, and later regenerative nerve surgical techniques like targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) and regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI) have led to major improvements in the mobility of lower limb amputees, by introducing myoeletric prosthetics. Although technological advances have let to improved motoric function and motor control over artificial limbs, sensory feedback is still a very complex aspect of regaining full control over the missing limb. Recently, introduced as a technical variation on TMR, Targeted Sensory Reinnervation is based on reinnervation of a defined skin area by another sensory nerve. Recently, application of vibrotactile feedback, connected to the lower extremity prosthetic socket, has shown promising results in regaining proprioception in the missing limb, resulting in improved walking ability and pain. However, Targeted Sensory Reinnervation (TSR) is a novel surgical technique which is not always possible to perform and not available to every lower extremity amputee. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether this vibrotactile sensory feedback device improves gait and pain in major lower limb amputee population regardless of whether TSR has been conducted.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Enrollment: 50
• Est. completion date: May 1, 2024
• Est. primary completion date: December 1, 2023
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• English-speaking
• Major lower limb amputee
• Willing and able to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age under 18

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Amputation

Intervention

Device:
• Vibrotactile sensory feedback device
The company Saphenus Medical Technology GmbH will provide all of the devices for this study. The non-invasive vibrotactile sensory feedback device consists of 4 vibration -motors, which are placed in a cuff or pant on the patient's residual limb (RL). Furthermore, the system consists of a foot sole with integrated sensors and transmitters. The patient will put the sole of their foot into the shoe of the amputated side. There are 4 sensors matching the vibration motors - 3 under the forefoot and 1 on the heel - in the foot sole. Depending on whether the patient loads their forefoot or their heel while walking, the assigned vibration motor vibrates on the skin of their RL. The patient will learn which vibration motor is assigned to their forefoot and which to their heel. This gives the patient sensory feedback without having to check with their eyes which part of the prosthetic foot is currently touching the ground.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Massachusetts General Hospital	Boston	Massachusetts

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Massachusetts General Hospital

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Measure Velocity	To investigate the potential effects of vibrotactile stimulation on gait velocity by asking the participant to walk a given distance during gait tests and measuring the velocity during which they walk during this distance. The specific gait test is the 10-meter gait velocity test (meters/second).	One Year
Primary	Measure Endurance	To investigate the potential effects of vibrotactile stimulation on endurance by asking the participant to walk a given distance during the 2 minute walking endurance test (meters).	One Year
Primary	Measure Physical Function	To investigate the potential effects of vibrotactile stimulation on physical function of the patient through the Patient Reported Outcome Measurements Physical function short form 6b. This scale goes from 6-30 where lower numbers mean that the patient is less physically able.	One Year
Primary	Measure User Satisfaction of Function	To investigate the potential effects of vibrotactile stimulation on physical function of the patient through the Orthotics Prosthetics Users Survey satisfaction with device questionnaire after the gait tests. This scale goes from 20-100 where lower numbers indicate easier ability to perform physical activities.	One Year
Primary	Measure Pain Overall	To investigate the potential effects of vibrotactile stimulation on amputation-related pain through patient-reported outcomes such as the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS). This scale goes from 0 (no pain) to a 10 (as bad as it could be, nothing else matters).	One Year
Primary	Measure Pain Interference	To investigate the potential effects of vibrotactile stimulation on amputation-related pain through patient-reported outcomes such as Patient Reported Outcome Measurements Pain Interference Short Form 4a. This scale goes from 4-20 where lower numbers indicate less pain.	One Year
Primary	Measure Pain Intensity	To investigate the potential effects of vibrotactile stimulation on amputation-related pain through patient-reported outcomes such as Patient Reported Outcome Measurements Pain Intensity Short Form 3a. This scale goes from 3-15 where lower numbers indicate less pain.	One Year
Secondary	Measure Patient Satisfaction	To investigate the potential effects of vibrotactile stimulation on patient satisfaction and mental wellbeing in major lower limb amputees. This will be done through the patient-reported outcomes questionnaire Orthotics Prosthetics Users Survey satisfaction with device. This scale goes from 1-100 where lower numbers indicate easier ability to perform physical activities.	One Year
Secondary	Measure Patient Depression	To investigate the potential effects of vibrotactile stimulation on patient satisfaction and mental wellbeing in major lower limb amputees. This will be done through the Patient Reported Outcome Measurements Depression Short Form 4a. This scale goes from 4-20 where lower numbers indicate less depression.	One Year
Secondary	Measure Patient Anxiety	To investigate the potential effects of vibrotactile stimulation on patient satisfaction and mental wellbeing in major lower limb amputees. This will be done through the Patient Reported Outcome Measurements Anxiety Short Form 4a. This scale goes from 4-20 where lower numbers indicate less anxiety.	One Year