Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Electrotherapy is the use of electric currents passing through the body to stimulate nerves and muscles for medical treatment. Medical Therapy Systems (MTS) is a new concept in medical electro-therapy that combines six scientifically proven technologies within one portable machine. The use of this can provide immediate pain relief in damaged tissues and stimulate the cells for faster and safer healing. This technology can be applied on all parts of the muscles and skeleton, with minimal discomfort and almost instant results.MTS treatment has been used as a treatment technique since the 1950’s and it remains a popular treatment for a range of clinical problems.
This study aims to assess the safety and effectiveness of MTS in this series of musculoskeletal conditions.
Who can participate?
Adults aged 18 to 80 years old with neuro- and musculoskeletal pain (chronic or acute)
What does the study involve?
The participants attend their physiotherapy clinic and receive standard electrotherapy treatment on MTS as per their condition and disease behaviour, according to the iMed MTS protocol. This may be 4 – 12 sessions, given every other day. Participants have demographic data collected, and have pain assessed before and after treatment using a visual scale.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants may benefit from reduced clinic time, as MTS houses six technologies in one system. Therefore the participant does not have to wait to change treatment areas or units, but can continue the full electrotherapy program in one sitting.
All treatments are non-invasive thus there is no risk to patients.
Where is the study run from?
1. Mission Health Multispeciality Physiotherapy Centre (India)
2. University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UK)
3. Knowle House Surgery (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2017 – October 2018
Who is funding the study?
iMed Group International Ltd (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Gita Patel (Scientific)
Trial website
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
07-April 2017
Study information
Scientific title
Prospective study of Efficacy of Medical Therapy System (MTS)
Acronym
MTS
Study hypothesis
The study aims to assess the safety and effectiveness of MTS with the application of the following technologies: Low Frequency Ultrasound lower (38 MHz), Micro shockwave emission, Thermal Radiofrequency and Athermal Radiofrequency and Micro Current Emission for pain relief and reduced time to recover
Ethics approval
1. Medilink Ethics Committee Gujarat India, 10/04/2017, no reference number
2. HRA, 09/04/2018, ref: 226505 - pending approval
Study design
Multi-centre observational case-control study
Primary study design
Observational
Secondary study design
Case-control study
Trial setting
Other
Trial type
Other
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Condition
Range of medical conditions including Tendinopathy, Arthropathy, Osteoarthritis (knee) and muscular distractions in both acute and chronic status.
Intervention
The research centre enrolls over 300 patients for a 12 month period and incorporates 6 primary efficacy variables of patients’ pain, patients function and physician global evaluation- patients’ condition. The results of these variables are aggregated and are presented as the consolidated results of the trial.
28 different pathologies are treated in line with the iMed recommended protocols for dermatome an area of skin that is mainly supplied by a single spinal nerve with Micro Current Emission; angiosome, myotomes and viscera an area of skin and underlying tissues, muscles and abdomen followed with Thermal Radiofrequency and Athermal Radiofrequency (Fraxelling) and Low Frequency Ultrasound and some pathologies with Micro shockwave emission.
Participants receive MTS treatment sessions, delivered at the study visits by the physiotherapist as per pathology and condition of the patient ranging from 4 to 12 sessions, given every other day and global assessment as summarised by the physiotherapist recorded in patient case/medical notes. Demographic data for patients including age, sex, ethnic origin, medical history, pain history medications and physical findings is collected at screening. In addition, annotations are entered by the physiotherapist and recorded for both beginning baseline measurements and after the end of the required number of MTS Sessions (4-8 for acute) and (10-12 for chronic).
Regular hospital charts are used as a source document recorded in the investigational site; otherwise study worksheet is created, signed and dated by delegated investigators to work as source document. The investigator clearly marks clinical records to indicate that the subject is enrolled in the MTS procedures.
The participant is followed up by telephone contact to learn if pain has returned 3-6 weeks after last session of MTS. The participants can return to standard electrotherapy sessions on the other commercial products. Measurements recorded at baseline and after the end of the required number of MTS Sessions (6-8 for acute) and (10-12 for chronic) are collected as VAS scale for pain.
Patients should avoid introductions and changes to other medications and lifestyle choices that could influence end-point variables. These include NSAIDS (Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs) (either topical or oral), Anti‐TNF‐alpha Biologics, Opioids, Cannabis and similarities. Introductions and changes are permitted at the discretion of the Investigator.
The treatment is completely non-invasive, fast and effective with no downtime for clients.
Intervention type
Device
Phase
Drug names
Primary outcome measures
Pain level is measured on the Visual Analogue Scale at baseline and after the end of the required number of MTS Sessions (1 to 3 weeks)
Secondary outcome measures
The exploratory analyses listed below are planned but may not be conducted if deemed to be obsolete during later stages of the trial; other exploratory analyses may be added.
1. Overall efficacy of MTS for tissue rehabilitation is measured using stretching exercises at baseline and 3-9 months
2. Pain relief for both acute and chronic cases is measured using VAS at baseline and 3-9 months
3. Speed of rehabilitation is measured using strengthening exercises at baseline and 3-9 months
4. Quality of Life for chronic sufferers is measured using activities of daily living (ADL) at baseline and 3-9 months
5. Range of motion after injury (acute or chronic) is measured using ergonomic assessment tools at baseline and 3-9 months
6. Safety of the therapy is evaluated by assessing adverse body effects or side effects throughout the study
Overall trial start date
01/03/2017
Overall trial end date
31/10/2018
Reason abandoned
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Aged 18 to 80 years
2. Any of the following pathologies: tendinopathy, arthropathy, muscular distractions, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
3. Not receiving any other therapy for the duration of clinical program
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
300
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Cardiac Pace Makers
2. Defibrillators
3. Primary non treated epilepsy
4. Cemented metal replacement surgery (dental implants acceptable)
5. Non diagnosed pain
6. Not able to communicate sensation of pain to therapist
7. Psychological issues
8. Cancer under active treatment
9. Active Tuberculosis
10. Immunological diseases of skin
11. Lateral arthertrophic sclerosis (ALS)
12. Doubtful medical history
13. Active thrombophlebitis
14. Pregnancy
Recruitment start date
09/06/2017
Recruitment end date
31/08/2018
Locations
Countries of recruitment
India, United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
Mission Health Multispeciality Physiotherapy Centre
4th Floor E-1, Aaron Elegance
Opp. Radhe Bungalows
Bh. Vishwakarma Engineering College
New C.G. Road
Chandkheda
Ahmedabad
382424
India
Trial participating centre
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
Newcastle Road
Staffordshire
Stoke-on-Trent
ST4 6QG
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
Knowle House Surgery
4 Meavy Way
Crownhill
Plymouth
PL5 3JB
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Organisation
iMed Group International Ltd
Sponsor details
51 London End
Beaconsfield
Buckinghamshire
HP9 2HW
United Kingdom
Sponsor type
Industry
Website
Funders
Funder type
Industry
Funder name
iMed Group International Ltd
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Intended submission to Physio Therapy Journal in mid-August 2018 as soon as the study is finished and aim to present results to physiotherapists with no downtime for clients.
IPD sharing statement:
The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Dr Gita Patel.
Intention to publish date
30/08/2018
Participant level data
Available on request
Results - basic reporting
Publication summary