Trial Outcomes & Findings for Comparison of Electrotherapies for Chronic Low Back Pain (NCT NCT01658735)

NCT ID: NCT01658735

Last Updated: 2015-03-09

Results Overview

Measure of the change in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) after one week of treatment compared with baseline measure. The ODI is a commonly used outcome-measure questionnaire for low back pain. It is a self-administered questionnaire divided into ten sections designed to assess limitations of various activities of daily living. Each section is scored on a 0-5 scale, 5 representing the greatest disability. The index is calculated by dividing the summed score by the total possible score, which is then multiplied by 100 and expressed as a percentage, with a possible range of 0 to 100. Higher scores represent higher reported disability.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

113 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

1 week

Results posted on

2015-03-09

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
H-Wave Device
H-Wave Device with Usual Care H-Wave: Proprietary electrotherapy device using electrical stimulation of unique wave form and energy level that is delivered through transcutaneous electrodes to nerves and soft tissue for analgesic effect.
TENS
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) Device with Usual Care Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): Electrotherapy device that delivers current at different frequency, amplitude, and wave form through cutaneous electrodes placed near body parts with pain for temporary analgesic effect. The study device is installed inside the same housing as the H-Wave Device and Sham Device, so that all appear the same. There are no identifying marks on the case that participants will recognize in order to maintain blinding.
Sham Electrotherapy
Sham Device plus Usual Care. Sham: The sham device is a TENS unit modified to have minimal electrical output. The device is installed in the same housing as the two active arms with equal weight, so that each device in the study appears identical.
Overall Study
STARTED
39
36
38
Overall Study
COMPLETED
34
29
34
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
5
7
4

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
H-Wave Device
H-Wave Device with Usual Care H-Wave: Proprietary electrotherapy device using electrical stimulation of unique wave form and energy level that is delivered through transcutaneous electrodes to nerves and soft tissue for analgesic effect.
TENS
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) Device with Usual Care Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): Electrotherapy device that delivers current at different frequency, amplitude, and wave form through cutaneous electrodes placed near body parts with pain for temporary analgesic effect. The study device is installed inside the same housing as the H-Wave Device and Sham Device, so that all appear the same. There are no identifying marks on the case that participants will recognize in order to maintain blinding.
Sham Electrotherapy
Sham Device plus Usual Care. Sham: The sham device is a TENS unit modified to have minimal electrical output. The device is installed in the same housing as the two active arms with equal weight, so that each device in the study appears identical.
Overall Study
Lack of Efficacy
1
0
1
Overall Study
Lost to Follow-up
1
1
0
Overall Study
Protocol Violation
0
1
0
Overall Study
Withdrawal by Subject
3
5
3

Baseline Characteristics

Comparison of Electrotherapies for Chronic Low Back Pain

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
H-Wave Device
n=39 Participants
H-Wave Device with Usual Care H-Wave: Proprietary electrotherapy device using electrical stimulation of unique wave form and energy level that is delivered through transcutaneous electrodes to nerves and soft tissue for analgesic effect.
TENS
n=36 Participants
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) Device with Usual Care Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): Electrotherapy device that delivers current at different frequency, amplitude, and wave form through cutaneous electrodes placed near body parts with pain for temporary analgesic effect. The study device is installed inside the same housing as the H-Wave Device and Sham Device, so that all appear the same. There are no identifying marks on the case that participants will recognize in order to maintain blinding.
Sham Electrotherapy
n=38 Participants
Sham Device plus Usual Care. Sham: The sham device is a TENS unit modified to have minimal electrical output. The device is installed in the same housing as the two active arms with equal weight, so that each device in the study appears identical.
Total
n=113 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
48.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.1 • n=99 Participants
48.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.5 • n=107 Participants
45.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.0 • n=206 Participants
47.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.9 • n=7 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
16 Participants
n=99 Participants
9 Participants
n=107 Participants
16 Participants
n=206 Participants
41 Participants
n=7 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
23 Participants
n=99 Participants
27 Participants
n=107 Participants
22 Participants
n=206 Participants
72 Participants
n=7 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
1 Participants
n=99 Participants
0 Participants
n=107 Participants
2 Participants
n=206 Participants
3 Participants
n=7 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
38 Participants
n=99 Participants
36 Participants
n=107 Participants
36 Participants
n=206 Participants
110 Participants
n=7 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=99 Participants
0 Participants
n=107 Participants
0 Participants
n=206 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
Number of participants currently working at enrollment
Yes
29 participants
n=99 Participants
28 participants
n=107 Participants
31 participants
n=206 Participants
88 participants
n=7 Participants
Number of participants currently working at enrollment
No
10 participants
n=99 Participants
8 participants
n=107 Participants
7 participants
n=206 Participants
25 participants
n=7 Participants
Number of participants who have ever seen a Chiropractor for LBP
Yes
23 participants
n=99 Participants
23 participants
n=107 Participants
25 participants
n=206 Participants
71 participants
n=7 Participants
Number of participants who have ever seen a Chiropractor for LBP
No
16 participants
n=99 Participants
13 participants
n=107 Participants
13 participants
n=206 Participants
42 participants
n=7 Participants
Number of participants who have seen a Physician for their current LBP
Yes
23 participants
n=99 Participants
28 participants
n=107 Participants
27 participants
n=206 Participants
78 participants
n=7 Participants
Number of participants who have seen a Physician for their current LBP
No
16 participants
n=99 Participants
8 participants
n=107 Participants
11 participants
n=206 Participants
35 participants
n=7 Participants
Number of participants who have been to a chronic pain clinic for their current LBP
Yes
5 participants
n=99 Participants
5 participants
n=107 Participants
1 participants
n=206 Participants
11 participants
n=7 Participants
Number of participants who have been to a chronic pain clinic for their current LBP
No
34 participants
n=99 Participants
31 participants
n=107 Participants
37 participants
n=206 Participants
102 participants
n=7 Participants
Participants of participants who have ever had a MRI for their current LBP
Yes
17 participants
n=99 Participants
17 participants
n=107 Participants
17 participants
n=206 Participants
51 participants
n=7 Participants
Participants of participants who have ever had a MRI for their current LBP
No
22 participants
n=99 Participants
19 participants
n=107 Participants
21 participants
n=206 Participants
62 participants
n=7 Participants
Number of participants that have ever smoked greater than 100 cigarettes - lifetime
Yes
9 participants
n=99 Participants
4 participants
n=107 Participants
9 participants
n=206 Participants
22 participants
n=7 Participants
Number of participants that have ever smoked greater than 100 cigarettes - lifetime
No
30 participants
n=99 Participants
32 participants
n=107 Participants
29 participants
n=206 Participants
91 participants
n=7 Participants
Number of participants who have ever seen a physical therapist for LBP
Yes
17 participants
n=99 Participants
18 participants
n=107 Participants
22 participants
n=206 Participants
57 participants
n=7 Participants
Number of participants who have ever seen a physical therapist for LBP
NO
22 participants
n=99 Participants
18 participants
n=107 Participants
16 participants
n=206 Participants
56 participants
n=7 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 1 week

Measure of the change in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) after one week of treatment compared with baseline measure. The ODI is a commonly used outcome-measure questionnaire for low back pain. It is a self-administered questionnaire divided into ten sections designed to assess limitations of various activities of daily living. Each section is scored on a 0-5 scale, 5 representing the greatest disability. The index is calculated by dividing the summed score by the total possible score, which is then multiplied by 100 and expressed as a percentage, with a possible range of 0 to 100. Higher scores represent higher reported disability.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
H-Wave Device
n=39 Participants
H-Wave Device with Usual Care H-Wave: Proprietary electrotherapy device using electrical stimulation of unique wave form and energy level that is delivered through transcutaneous electrodes to nerves and soft tissue for analgesic effect.
TENS
n=36 Participants
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) Device with Usual Care Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): Electrotherapy device that delivers current at different frequency, amplitude, and wave form through cutaneous electrodes placed near body parts with pain for temporary analgesic effect. The study device is installed inside the same housing as the H-Wave Device and Sham Device, so that all appear the same. There are no identifying marks on the case that participants will recognize in order to maintain blinding.
Sham Electrotherapy
n=38 Participants
Sham Device plus Usual Care. Sham: The sham device is a TENS unit modified to have minimal electrical output. The device is installed in the same housing as the two active arms with equal weight, so that each device in the study appears identical.
Change From Baseline in Oswestry Disability Index at 1 Week
-2.507 units on a scale
Interval -4.56 to -0.45
-4.725 units on a scale
Interval -6.94 to -2.51
-4.752 units on a scale
Interval -6.94 to -2.56

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 4

Measure of the change in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) after four weeks of treatment compared with baseline measure. The ODI is a commonly used outcome-measure questionnaire for low back pain. It is a self-administered questionnaire divided into ten sections designed to assess limitations of various activities of daily living. Each section is scored on a 0-5 scale, 5 representing the greatest disability. The index is calculated by dividing the summed score by the total possible score, which is then multiplied by 100 and expressed as a percentage, with a possible range of 0 to 100. Higher scores represent higher reported disability.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
H-Wave Device
n=39 Participants
H-Wave Device with Usual Care H-Wave: Proprietary electrotherapy device using electrical stimulation of unique wave form and energy level that is delivered through transcutaneous electrodes to nerves and soft tissue for analgesic effect.
TENS
n=36 Participants
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) Device with Usual Care Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): Electrotherapy device that delivers current at different frequency, amplitude, and wave form through cutaneous electrodes placed near body parts with pain for temporary analgesic effect. The study device is installed inside the same housing as the H-Wave Device and Sham Device, so that all appear the same. There are no identifying marks on the case that participants will recognize in order to maintain blinding.
Sham Electrotherapy
n=38 Participants
Sham Device plus Usual Care. Sham: The sham device is a TENS unit modified to have minimal electrical output. The device is installed in the same housing as the two active arms with equal weight, so that each device in the study appears identical.
Change From Baseline in Oswestry Disability Index at 4 Weeks
-5.002 units on a scale
Interval -7.51 to -2.5
-5.135 units on a scale
Interval -7.88 to -2.39
-4.581 units on a scale
Interval -7.25 to -1.91

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 8

Measure of the change in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) after eight weeks of treatment compared with baseline measure. The ODI is a commonly used outcome-measure questionnaire for low back pain. It is a self-administered questionnaire divided into ten sections designed to assess limitations of various activities of daily living. Each section is scored on a 0-5 scale, 5 representing the greatest disability. The index is calculated by dividing the summed score by the total possible score, which is then multiplied by 100 and expressed as a percentage, with a possible range of 0 to 100. Higher scores represent higher reported disability.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
H-Wave Device
n=39 Participants
H-Wave Device with Usual Care H-Wave: Proprietary electrotherapy device using electrical stimulation of unique wave form and energy level that is delivered through transcutaneous electrodes to nerves and soft tissue for analgesic effect.
TENS
n=36 Participants
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) Device with Usual Care Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): Electrotherapy device that delivers current at different frequency, amplitude, and wave form through cutaneous electrodes placed near body parts with pain for temporary analgesic effect. The study device is installed inside the same housing as the H-Wave Device and Sham Device, so that all appear the same. There are no identifying marks on the case that participants will recognize in order to maintain blinding.
Sham Electrotherapy
n=38 Participants
Sham Device plus Usual Care. Sham: The sham device is a TENS unit modified to have minimal electrical output. The device is installed in the same housing as the two active arms with equal weight, so that each device in the study appears identical.
Change From Baseline in Oswestry Disability Index at 8 Weeks
-5.299 units on a scale
Interval -8.19 to -2.41
-5.135 units on a scale
Interval -7.88 to -2.39
-4.679 units on a scale
Interval -7.41 to -1.89

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 12

Measure of the change in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) after twelve weeks of treatment compared with baseline measure. The ODI is a commonly used outcome-measure questionnaire for low back pain. It is a self-administered questionnaire divided into ten sections designed to assess limitations of various activities of daily living. Each section is scored on a 0-5 scale, 5 representing the greatest disability. The index is calculated by dividing the summed score by the total possible score, which is then multiplied by 100 and expressed as a percentage, with a possible range of 0 to 100. Higher scores represent higher reported disability.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
H-Wave Device
n=39 Participants
H-Wave Device with Usual Care H-Wave: Proprietary electrotherapy device using electrical stimulation of unique wave form and energy level that is delivered through transcutaneous electrodes to nerves and soft tissue for analgesic effect.
TENS
n=36 Participants
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) Device with Usual Care Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): Electrotherapy device that delivers current at different frequency, amplitude, and wave form through cutaneous electrodes placed near body parts with pain for temporary analgesic effect. The study device is installed inside the same housing as the H-Wave Device and Sham Device, so that all appear the same. There are no identifying marks on the case that participants will recognize in order to maintain blinding.
Sham Electrotherapy
n=38 Participants
Sham Device plus Usual Care. Sham: The sham device is a TENS unit modified to have minimal electrical output. The device is installed in the same housing as the two active arms with equal weight, so that each device in the study appears identical.
Change From Baseline in Oswestry Disability Index at 12 Weeks
-5.388 units on a scale
Interval -8.47 to -2.3
-6.907 units on a scale
Interval -10.32 to -3.49
-5.612 units on a scale
Interval -8.82 to -2.4

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 1

Measure of the change in visual analogue scale (VAS) after one week of treatment compared with baseline VAS measure. The VAS is a commonly used continuous scale measure for low back pain. For pain intensity, the scale is anchored by "no pain" (score of 0) and "pain as bad as it could be" or "worst imaginable pain" (score of 10). Higher scores represent higher reported pain.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
H-Wave Device
n=39 Participants
H-Wave Device with Usual Care H-Wave: Proprietary electrotherapy device using electrical stimulation of unique wave form and energy level that is delivered through transcutaneous electrodes to nerves and soft tissue for analgesic effect.
TENS
n=36 Participants
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) Device with Usual Care Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): Electrotherapy device that delivers current at different frequency, amplitude, and wave form through cutaneous electrodes placed near body parts with pain for temporary analgesic effect. The study device is installed inside the same housing as the H-Wave Device and Sham Device, so that all appear the same. There are no identifying marks on the case that participants will recognize in order to maintain blinding.
Sham Electrotherapy
n=38 Participants
Sham Device plus Usual Care. Sham: The sham device is a TENS unit modified to have minimal electrical output. The device is installed in the same housing as the two active arms with equal weight, so that each device in the study appears identical.
Change From Baseline in VAS Pain Score at 1 Week
-1.458 units on a scale
Interval -2.21 to -0.93
-1.929 units on a scale
Interval -2.75 to -1.11
-2.042 units on a scale
Interval -2.84 to -1.25

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 4

Measure of the change in visual analogue scale (VAS) after four weeks of treatment compared with baseline VAS measure. The VAS is a commonly used continuous scale measure for low back pain. For pain intensity, the scale is anchored by "no pain" (score of 0) and "pain as bad as it could be" or "worst imaginable pain" (score of 10). Higher scores represent higher reported pain.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
H-Wave Device
n=39 Participants
H-Wave Device with Usual Care H-Wave: Proprietary electrotherapy device using electrical stimulation of unique wave form and energy level that is delivered through transcutaneous electrodes to nerves and soft tissue for analgesic effect.
TENS
n=36 Participants
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) Device with Usual Care Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): Electrotherapy device that delivers current at different frequency, amplitude, and wave form through cutaneous electrodes placed near body parts with pain for temporary analgesic effect. The study device is installed inside the same housing as the H-Wave Device and Sham Device, so that all appear the same. There are no identifying marks on the case that participants will recognize in order to maintain blinding.
Sham Electrotherapy
n=38 Participants
Sham Device plus Usual Care. Sham: The sham device is a TENS unit modified to have minimal electrical output. The device is installed in the same housing as the two active arms with equal weight, so that each device in the study appears identical.
Change From Baseline in VAS Pain Score at 4 Weeks
-2.017 units on a scale
Interval -2.9 to -1.13
-1.691 units on a scale
Interval -2.66 to -0.72
-1.843 units on a scale
Interval -2.79 to -0.9

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 8

Measure of the change in visual analogue scale (VAS) after eight weeks of treatment compared with baseline VAS measure. The VAS is a commonly used continuous scale measure for low back pain. For pain intensity, the scale is anchored by "no pain" (score of 0) and "pain as bad as it could be" or "worst imaginable pain" (score of 10). Higher scores represent higher reported pain.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
H-Wave Device
n=39 Participants
H-Wave Device with Usual Care H-Wave: Proprietary electrotherapy device using electrical stimulation of unique wave form and energy level that is delivered through transcutaneous electrodes to nerves and soft tissue for analgesic effect.
TENS
n=36 Participants
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) Device with Usual Care Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): Electrotherapy device that delivers current at different frequency, amplitude, and wave form through cutaneous electrodes placed near body parts with pain for temporary analgesic effect. The study device is installed inside the same housing as the H-Wave Device and Sham Device, so that all appear the same. There are no identifying marks on the case that participants will recognize in order to maintain blinding.
Sham Electrotherapy
n=38 Participants
Sham Device plus Usual Care. Sham: The sham device is a TENS unit modified to have minimal electrical output. The device is installed in the same housing as the two active arms with equal weight, so that each device in the study appears identical.
Change From Baseline in VAS Pain Score at 8 Weeks
-2.510 units on a scale
Interval -3.53 to -1.49
-2.147 units on a scale
Interval -3.28 to -1.02
-2.467 units on a scale
Interval -3.41 to -1.52

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Week 12

Measure of the change in visual analogue scale (VAS) after twelve weeks of treatment compared with baseline VAS measure. The VAS is a commonly used continuous scale measure for low back pain. For pain intensity, the scale is anchored by "no pain" (score of 0) and "pain as bad as it could be" or "worst imaginable pain" (score of 10). Higher scores represent higher reported pain.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
H-Wave Device
n=39 Participants
H-Wave Device with Usual Care H-Wave: Proprietary electrotherapy device using electrical stimulation of unique wave form and energy level that is delivered through transcutaneous electrodes to nerves and soft tissue for analgesic effect.
TENS
n=36 Participants
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) Device with Usual Care Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): Electrotherapy device that delivers current at different frequency, amplitude, and wave form through cutaneous electrodes placed near body parts with pain for temporary analgesic effect. The study device is installed inside the same housing as the H-Wave Device and Sham Device, so that all appear the same. There are no identifying marks on the case that participants will recognize in order to maintain blinding.
Sham Electrotherapy
n=38 Participants
Sham Device plus Usual Care. Sham: The sham device is a TENS unit modified to have minimal electrical output. The device is installed in the same housing as the two active arms with equal weight, so that each device in the study appears identical.
Change From Baseline in VAS Pain Score at 12 Weeks
-2.624 units on a scale
Interval -3.53 to -1.72
-1.922 units on a scale
Interval -2.91 to -0.93
-2.467 units on a scale
Interval -3.41 to -1.52

Adverse Events

H-Wave Device

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 2 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

TENS

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 2 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Sham Electrotherapy

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 1 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
H-Wave Device
n=39 participants at risk
H-Wave Device with Usual Care H-Wave: Proprietary electrotherapy device using electrical stimulation of unique wave form and energy level that is delivered through transcutaneous electrodes to nerves and soft tissue for analgesic effect.
TENS
n=36 participants at risk
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) Device with Usual Care Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): Electrotherapy device that delivers current at different frequency, amplitude, and wave form through cutaneous electrodes placed near body parts with pain for temporary analgesic effect. The study device is installed inside the same housing as the H-Wave Device and Sham Device, so that all appear the same. There are no identifying marks on the case that participants will recognize in order to maintain blinding.
Sham Electrotherapy
n=38 participants at risk
Sham Device plus Usual Care. Sham: The sham device is a TENS unit modified to have minimal electrical output. The device is installed in the same housing as the two active arms with equal weight, so that each device in the study appears identical.
Nervous system disorders
Headache
0.00%
0/39 • Within 12 weeks the participant was enrolled
2.8%
1/36 • Number of events 1 • Within 12 weeks the participant was enrolled
0.00%
0/38 • Within 12 weeks the participant was enrolled
Nervous system disorders
Increase in Lower Extremity Tingling/Sciatica
2.6%
1/39 • Number of events 1 • Within 12 weeks the participant was enrolled
0.00%
0/36 • Within 12 weeks the participant was enrolled
2.6%
1/38 • Number of events 1 • Within 12 weeks the participant was enrolled
Gastrointestinal disorders
Exacerbation of Irritable bowel syndrome
2.6%
1/39 • Number of events 1 • Within 12 weeks the participant was enrolled
0.00%
0/36 • Within 12 weeks the participant was enrolled
0.00%
0/38 • Within 12 weeks the participant was enrolled
Gastrointestinal disorders
Abdominal pain/Flank pain
0.00%
0/39 • Within 12 weeks the participant was enrolled
2.8%
1/36 • Number of events 1 • Within 12 weeks the participant was enrolled
0.00%
0/38 • Within 12 weeks the participant was enrolled

Additional Information

Matthew A Hughes, MD, MPH

University of Utah School of Medicine

Phone: 8015814800

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place