A proof of concept clinical investigation to evaluate the activity of Hedrin® 4% lotion in the treatment of head lice using a 1-hour application time

ISRCTN ISRCTN95412572
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN95412572
EudraCT/CTIS number 2008-005787-13
Secondary identifying numbers CTMK08
Submission date
11/11/2008
Registration date
01/12/2008
Last edited
06/07/2016
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Infections and Infestations
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
We know from previous studies that Hedrin 4% lotion is effective with an 8 hour application time and reasonably effective with a 20 minutes application. The aim of this study is to confirm that Hedrin 4% lotion works just as well to eliminate head louse infestation using it for 1 hour.

Who can participate?
The study is open to anyone who has head lice over the age of 6 months and who fits the other entry criteria.

What does the study involve?
The study first involves checking for presence of lice. If you then wish to take part we shall ask you (or your carer) to sign a consent form after which we can apply the treatment. A second application of the treatment product is applied after 7 days to eliminate any young lice that emerge from eggs during that first week. We shall check the safety and acceptability of the treatment and the progress of the effectiveness when we comb everyone looking for lice twice between treatments, on days 1 and 6 after first treatment, and then twice after the second treatment on days 9 and 14. Anyone who has lice after the second treatment will be provided with a different treatment (Hedrin 4% lotion 8 hours application) to eliminate the infestation.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
We hope everyone who takes part will have their head lice eliminated

Where is the study run from?
The study will be conducted in and around the area of Cambridgeshire by the Medical Entomology Centre based just outside Cambridge. Our team of investigators will visit you at home to run all the procedures so you don’t need to go anywhere.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study starts in November 2008 and will run until about the end of February 2009.

Who is funding the study?
It is being funded by Thornton & Ross Ltd, the makers of Hedrin 4% lotion.

Who is the main contact?
The main contact for the study is Elizabeth Brunton at the Medical Entomology Centre.

Contact information

Mr Ian Burgess
Scientific

Medical Entomology Centre
Insect Research & Development Limited
6 Quy Court
Colliers Lane
Stow-cum-Quy
Cambridge
CB25 9AU
United Kingdom

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0003-0747-3938
Email ian@insectresearch.com

Study information

Study designSingle-centre non-randomised single-arm proof of concept study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designNon randomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Not specified
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleA proof of concept clinical investigation to evaluate the activity of Hedrin® 4% lotion in the treatment of head lice using a 1-hour application time
Study objectivesTo determine whether Hedrin® 4% lotion can be used for a shorter application time (1 hour) in the eradication of head lice than the currently approved overnight application, and to evaluate the treatment regimen with regard to safety, ease of application, and participant acceptability.
Ethics approval(s)Essex 1 Research Ethics Committee, approved on 27/10/2008 (ref: 08/H0301/114)
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedHead louse infestation
InterventionAll participants will received the following intervention (single-arm trial):

One-hour application of dimeticone 4% (Hedrin® 4%) lotion, on day zero (at enrolment) and day 7.
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhasePhase IV
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Dimeticone (Hedrin®)
Primary outcome measureCure of infestation, defined as no evidence of head lice, assessed between completion of the second application of treatment on day 7 and day 14 (the first treatment being applied on day 0).
Secondary outcome measures1. Prevention of louse egg hatching (ovicidal action), defined as no 1st and 2nd stage nymphs found at assessments during the week following the first treatment
2. Safety of the product monitored by observation for adverse events on days 0, 1, 6, 7, 9, and 14 of the study
3. Ease of use by investigators, assessed by a questionnaire on the day of the first treatment
4. Participant acceptability, assessed by a questionnaire at the final assessment on day 14
Overall study start date17/11/2008
Completion date31/01/2009

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupOther
SexBoth
Target number of participants40
Key inclusion criteria1. Both males and females, aged 6 months and over with no upper age limit
2. Participants who upon examination, are confirmed to have live head lice
3. Participants who give written informed consent, or if the participant is under 16 years of age whose parent/guardian gives written informed consent to participate in the study
4. Participants who will be available for follow-up visits by study team members over the 14 days following first treatment
Key exclusion criteria1. Participants with a known sensitivity to any of the ingredients in Hedrin® 4% lotion
2. Participants with a secondary bacterial infection of the scalp (e.g. impetigo) or who have an active long-term scalp condition (e.g. psoriasis of the scalp)
3. Participants who have been treated with other head lice products within the previous two weeks
4. Participants who have bleached hair, or hair that has been permanently waved within the previous four weeks
5. Participants who have been treated with the antibiotics co-trimoxazole or trimethoprim within the previous four weeks, or who are currently taking such a course
6. Pregnant or nursing mothers
7. Participants who have participated in another clinical study within 1 month before entry to this study
8. Participants who have already participated in this clinical study
Date of first enrolment17/11/2008
Date of final enrolment31/01/2009

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Medical Entomology Centre
Cambridge
CB25 9AU
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Thornton & Ross Ltd (UK)
Industry

Linthwaite
Huddersfield
HD7 5QH
United Kingdom

Website http://www.thorntonross.com
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/00frd0c49

Funders

Funder type

Industry

Thornton & Ross Ltd. (UK)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryData sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination planTo be confirmed at a later date
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No

Editorial Notes

06/07/2016: Verified study information with principal investigator. Added EudraCT number, ORCID, data sharing plan
29/06/2016: No publications found, verifying study status with principal investigator