Effectiveness of an electro-stimulator for the treatment of dry mouth in patients with Sjogren's syndrome

ISRCTN ISRCTN58887461
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN58887461
Secondary identifying numbers 11543
Submission date
25/07/2012
Registration date
30/07/2012
Last edited
13/12/2019
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Digestive System
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Reduced salivation (dry mouth) is a common complaint of individuals with Sjogren’s syndrome. It is a distressing condition which can lead to long-lasting oral discomfort, dental infections, diminished quality of life, social isolation and loneliness. As current treatments for dry mouth are often unsatisfactory, expensive and may result in adverse effects, further research in this area is needed. A new electronic device has recently been developed to treat dry mouth. The device, acting as a “salivary pacemaker”, is applied into the mouth (similar to a boxer’s mouthguard) for a few minutes, harmlessly stimulates the nerves of the salivary glands (salivary electrostimulation) and does not cause adverse side effects. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the device in patients with Sjogren’s syndrome to demonstrate whether using it daily is an effective treatment for dry mouth. The present study will pave the way for a future large study with a view to provide, for the first time, data regarding the long-term effectiveness of salivary electrostimulation.

Who can participate?
Individuals over 18 years of age who have been diagnosed with primary Sjogren's syndrome.

What does the study involve?
Participants will be randomly allocated to either receive the actual device or a sham device that will not deliver electric stimuli but only tactile stimulation (like using chewing gum). Participants will use the device for 6 months after receiving appropriate instructions, and will be allowed to continue using their routine local therapy for dry mouth (e.g. artificial saliva or sipping water) during the study. Participants will also be asked to attend hospital appointments to measure changes in saliva production and complete questionnaires on their dry mouth sensation. Each participant will keep a home diary of their frequency of use and any changes in dry mouth sensation.

What are the possible benefits and risks for participants?
Apart from helping medical research, study participants will benefit from using a new medication-free treatment that – based on previous research - is likely to lessen their dry mouth sensation. No significant risk is expected.

Where is the study run from?
University College London Hospital (lead centre) and Birmingham Dental Hospital.

When is study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
Recruitment started in March 2012 and is expected to close in March 2013.

Who is funding the study?
The study is sponsored by University College London Hospital Trust and funded by Arthritis Research UK.

Who is the main contact?
Stefano Fedele
s.fedele@ucl.ac.uk

Contact information

Dr Stefano Fedele
Scientific

Eastman Dental Hospital
256 Gray's Inn Road
London
WC1X 8LD
United Kingdom

Study information

Study designRandomised interventional pilot trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleLong-term effectiveness of a novel intra-oral electro-stimulator for the treatment of dry mouth in patients with Sjogren's syndrome: a feasibility study
Study acronymLEONIDAS-1
Study objectivesA novel electronic device that goes in the mouth (intraoral) has been recently developed to treat dry mouth (xerostomia). The device, acting as a “salivary pacemaker”, is suggested to harmlessly stimulate nerves of the salivary glands without side effects. The aim of this feasibility study is to test the device on a small group of patients with Sjogren's syndrome (SS) in order to define the most appropriate research design of a future large multi-centre study.
Ethics approval(s)NRES Committee Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield, 13/01/2012, ref: 11/YH/0423
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedOral, gastrointestinal and dental
InterventionElectrostimulation, Intra-oral electrostimulating device (salivary pacemaker)
Intervention typeDevice
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
Phase
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)
Primary outcome measureReduction in dry mouth symptoms measured at 1, 2, 4, 5 months
Secondary outcome measuresNo secondary outcome measures
Overall study start date01/03/2012
Completion date30/06/2012

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participantsPlanned Sample Size: 30; UK Sample Size: 30
Total final enrolment30
Key inclusion criteria1. Be at least 18 years of age
2. Have clinical symptoms of xerostomia (dry mouth) due to primary SS syndrome diagnosed on the basis of 2001 EUUSA classification criteria
3. Degree of dry mouth symptoms: a minimum degree of dryness of 50mm (=50mm) on a 100mm VAS scale (0= no dryness; 100 = maximum dryness)
4. NO systemic sialogogue therapy (e.g. pilocarpine) for the duration of the study
5. Female patients of child bearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test within twenty-four hours of enrolment
6. To understand and consent in writing to the procedure
7. To agree to undergo all the examinations and clinical evaluations of the study
8. To have evidence of residual salivary gland function, by demonstrating an increase in salivary flow on appropriate stimulation e.g. citric acid stimulation or chewing paraffin wax)
9. To have unstimulated whole salivary flow higher than 0 ml/15min (unstimulated salivary flow as measured via sialometry for 15 minutes)
10. Male and female particioants
Key exclusion criteria1. Severe systemic disease (on the basis of the classification of the American Society of Anesthesiology: ASAIII and ASA IV)
2. Known allergy to materials similar to those used in the investigational product
3. To wear other active implants such as cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator, or hearing aids
4. Complete lower edentulous status (i.e. possess no lower teeth)
5. To have oral anatomical or disease-related characteristics that preclude the insertion of the device (e.g. mandibular torus, severe trismus)
6. To be unable or unwilling to cooperate with study procedures
7. To have evidence of no residual salivary gland function (via citric acid stimulation or chewing paraffin wax test)
8. To have an unstimulated whole salivary flow = 0 ml/15min (Absence of unstimulated salivary flow as measured via sialometry for 15 minutes)
Date of first enrolment01/03/2012
Date of final enrolment30/06/2012

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Eastman Dental Hospital
London
WC1X 8LD
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UK)
Hospital/treatment centre

The Hatter Institute for Cardiovascular Studies
25 Grafton Way
London
WC1E 6DB
England
United Kingdom

Website http://www.uclh.org/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/042fqyp44

Funders

Funder type

Charity

Arthritis Research UK
Private sector organisation / Other non-profit organizations
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination plan2015 results in: https://doi.org/10.1111/sji.12291 (added 13/12/2019)
IPD sharing plan

Editorial Notes

13/12/2019: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added to publication and dissemination plan.
2. The total final enrolment number has been added from the reference.
09/08/2016: No publications found, verifying study status with principal investigator.