Trial Outcomes & Findings for Condom Performance in a Longitudinal Enhanced Assessment of User Experiences (NCT NCT02753842)

NCT ID: NCT02753842

Last Updated: 2020-08-25

Results Overview

Our aim was to compare fitted condoms with standard condoms regarding levels of reported pleasure, as determined by rating per condom use event. The sexual pleasure scale for this study was developed and validated by the study team (Siegler et. al., Arch Sex Behav. 2018 Aug; 47(6): 1745-1754), and is titled event-level, male sexual pleasure scale (EMSEXpleasure). The scale comprises 11 items with sliding scale response scores. Pleasure scale measurement was assessed with a mobile-optimized, web-based home daily coital log, completed following each coital event. The minimum scale score was zero, the maximum was 100. Higher values indicate greater pleasure. We assessed the difference in mean scores of pleasure for fitted condoms versus standard condoms.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

504 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Up to 12 weeks

Results posted on

2020-08-25

Participant Flow

Participants were recruited in Atlanta, GA from May 19, 2016 - May 2, 2017. Recruitment was predominantly through electronic advertising and paper signs posted at venues such as college campuses.

We recruited 504 participants into the crossover trial. Participants were randomized into one of six sequences, each representing the order in which a participant would receive batches of five study condoms of a particular type.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Fitted, Then Thin, Then Standard Condoms
Participants first received 5 fitted condoms, and had a period of 2-4 weeks to use them. They then received 5 thin condoms, and had a period of 2-4 weeks to use them. They then received 5 standard condoms, and had a period of 2-4 weeks to use them.
Fitted, Then Standard, Then Thin Condoms
Participants first received 5 fitted condoms, and had a period of 2-4 weeks to use them. They then received 5 standard condoms, and had a period of 2-4 weeks to use them. They then received 5 thin condoms, and had a period of 2-4 weeks to use them.
Thin, Then Fitted, Then Standard Condoms
Participants first received 5 thin condoms, and had a period of 2-4 weeks to use them. They then received 5 fitted condoms, and had a period of 2-4 weeks to use them. They then received 5 standard condoms, and had a period of 2-4 weeks to use them.
Thin, Then Standard, Then Fitted Condoms
Participants first received 5 thin condoms, and had a period of 2-4 weeks to use them. They then received 5 standard condoms, and had a period of 2-4 weeks to use them. They then received 5 fitted condoms, and had a period of 2-4 weeks to use them.
Standard, Then Fitted, Then Thin Condoms
Participants first received 5 standard condoms, and had a period of 2-4 weeks to use them. They then received 5 fitted condoms, and had a period of 2-4 weeks to use them. They then received 5 thin condoms, and had a period of 2-4 weeks to use them.
Standard, Then Thin, Then Fitted Condoms
Participants first received 5 standard condoms, and had a period of 2-4 weeks to use them. They then received 5 thin condoms, and had a period of 2-4 weeks to use them. They then received 5 fitted condoms, and had a period of 2-4 weeks to use them.
First Follow-Up (Set of Condoms)
STARTED
85
84
85
83
83
84
First Follow-Up (Set of Condoms)
COMPLETED
75
76
76
81
76
79
First Follow-Up (Set of Condoms)
NOT COMPLETED
10
8
9
2
7
5
Second Follow-Up (Set of Condoms)
STARTED
75
76
76
81
76
79
Second Follow-Up (Set of Condoms)
COMPLETED
71
71
71
76
75
72
Second Follow-Up (Set of Condoms)
NOT COMPLETED
4
5
5
5
1
7
Third Follow-Up (Set of Condoms)
STARTED
71
71
71
76
75
72
Third Follow-Up (Set of Condoms)
COMPLETED
65
66
68
70
71
69
Third Follow-Up (Set of Condoms)
NOT COMPLETED
6
5
3
6
4
3

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Condom Performance in a Longitudinal Enhanced Assessment of User Experiences

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Fitted, Then Thin, Then Standard Condoms
n=85 Participants
Fitted, Then Thin, Then Standard Condoms.
Fitted, Then Standard, Then Thin Condoms
n=84 Participants
Fitted, Then Standard, Then Thin Condoms.
Thin, Then Fitted, Then Standard Condoms
n=85 Participants
Thin, Then Fitted, Then Standard Condoms.
Thin, Then Standard, Then Fitted Condoms
n=83 Participants
Thin, Then Standard, Then Fitted Condoms.
Standard, Then Fitted, Then Thin Condoms
n=83 Participants
Standard, Then Fitted, Then Thin Condoms.
Standard, Then Thin, Then Fitted Condoms
n=84 Participants
Standard, Then Thin, Then Fitted Condoms.
Total
n=504 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Customized
< 20 years
9 Participants
n=99 Participants
11 Participants
n=107 Participants
9 Participants
n=206 Participants
8 Participants
n=157 Participants
15 Participants
n=390 Participants
4 Participants
n=16 Participants
56 Participants
n=3 Participants
Age, Customized
20-24 years
28 Participants
n=99 Participants
25 Participants
n=107 Participants
29 Participants
n=206 Participants
29 Participants
n=157 Participants
21 Participants
n=390 Participants
26 Participants
n=16 Participants
158 Participants
n=3 Participants
Age, Customized
25-29 years
16 Participants
n=99 Participants
19 Participants
n=107 Participants
22 Participants
n=206 Participants
20 Participants
n=157 Participants
24 Participants
n=390 Participants
22 Participants
n=16 Participants
123 Participants
n=3 Participants
Age, Customized
30-39 years
23 Participants
n=99 Participants
20 Participants
n=107 Participants
16 Participants
n=206 Participants
19 Participants
n=157 Participants
15 Participants
n=390 Participants
15 Participants
n=16 Participants
108 Participants
n=3 Participants
Age, Customized
40-54 years
9 Participants
n=99 Participants
9 Participants
n=107 Participants
9 Participants
n=206 Participants
7 Participants
n=157 Participants
8 Participants
n=390 Participants
17 Participants
n=16 Participants
59 Participants
n=3 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
0 Participants
n=99 Participants
0 Participants
n=107 Participants
0 Participants
n=206 Participants
0 Participants
n=157 Participants
0 Participants
n=390 Participants
0 Participants
n=16 Participants
0 Participants
n=3 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
85 Participants
n=99 Participants
84 Participants
n=107 Participants
85 Participants
n=206 Participants
83 Participants
n=157 Participants
83 Participants
n=390 Participants
84 Participants
n=16 Participants
504 Participants
n=3 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Hispanic
7 Participants
n=99 Participants
13 Participants
n=107 Participants
12 Participants
n=206 Participants
11 Participants
n=157 Participants
6 Participants
n=390 Participants
13 Participants
n=16 Participants
62 Participants
n=3 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
White non-Hispanic
45 Participants
n=99 Participants
40 Participants
n=107 Participants
44 Participants
n=206 Participants
32 Participants
n=157 Participants
40 Participants
n=390 Participants
40 Participants
n=16 Participants
241 Participants
n=3 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
African-American non-Hispanic
18 Participants
n=99 Participants
23 Participants
n=107 Participants
19 Participants
n=206 Participants
25 Participants
n=157 Participants
23 Participants
n=390 Participants
23 Participants
n=16 Participants
131 Participants
n=3 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Other non-Hispanic
15 Participants
n=99 Participants
8 Participants
n=107 Participants
10 Participants
n=206 Participants
14 Participants
n=157 Participants
14 Participants
n=390 Participants
8 Participants
n=16 Participants
69 Participants
n=3 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Prefer not to answer, non-Hispanic
0 Participants
n=99 Participants
0 Participants
n=107 Participants
0 Participants
n=206 Participants
1 Participants
n=157 Participants
0 Participants
n=390 Participants
0 Participants
n=16 Participants
1 Participants
n=3 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
85 participants
n=99 Participants
84 participants
n=107 Participants
85 participants
n=206 Participants
83 participants
n=157 Participants
83 participants
n=390 Participants
84 participants
n=16 Participants
504 participants
n=3 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Up to 12 weeks

Population: The analysis is comprised of pleasure scale scores completed after each sex act, when a study condom was used.

Our aim was to compare fitted condoms with standard condoms regarding levels of reported pleasure, as determined by rating per condom use event. The sexual pleasure scale for this study was developed and validated by the study team (Siegler et. al., Arch Sex Behav. 2018 Aug; 47(6): 1745-1754), and is titled event-level, male sexual pleasure scale (EMSEXpleasure). The scale comprises 11 items with sliding scale response scores. Pleasure scale measurement was assessed with a mobile-optimized, web-based home daily coital log, completed following each coital event. The minimum scale score was zero, the maximum was 100. Higher values indicate greater pleasure. We assessed the difference in mean scores of pleasure for fitted condoms versus standard condoms.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Fitted Condoms
n=4740 Sex acts with study condoms
Participants received all conditions (fitted condoms, thin condoms, and standard condoms), with the order in which condoms are received based on permuted block randomization.
Standard Condoms
n=4740 Sex acts with study condoms
Participants will receive all conditions (fitted condoms, thin condoms, and standard condoms), with the order in which condoms are received based on permuted block randomization.
Standard Condoms
Standard condoms used for anal sex
Sexual Pleasure Scale Score for Fitted Versus Standard Condoms
71.52 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.77
70.13 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.78

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Up to 12 weeks

Population: Participants who used at least one fitted and one standard condom

Our aim was to compare fitted condoms with standard condoms regarding preference, as determined by ranking of the two conditions at the study conclusion. Condom preference was determined by participants selecting a preference for fitted or standard condoms at the study conclusion. The measure used assessed a blinded preference, referring to the color assigned to the condom type rather than the type of condom by name.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Fitted Condoms
n=371 Participants
Participants received all conditions (fitted condoms, thin condoms, and standard condoms), with the order in which condoms are received based on permuted block randomization.
Standard Condoms
Participants will receive all conditions (fitted condoms, thin condoms, and standard condoms), with the order in which condoms are received based on permuted block randomization.
Standard Condoms
Standard condoms used for anal sex
Percent of Participants Preferring Fitted Condoms to Standard Condoms
53.0 % of participants prefer fitted condoms
Interval 47.9 to 58.1

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Up to 12 weeks

Population: Participants who used at least one condom during the study

Our aim was to assess for fitted, thin, and standard condoms the total clinical failure rate of each type of condom for anal sex among MSM relative to the 5% failure cut-point previously used by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Clinical condom failure (condom breakage and slippage) was assessed by questions from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), with a mobile-optimized, web-based home daily coital log completed following each coital event. Clinical failure was calculated according to ISO guidance.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Fitted Condoms
n=813 Condoms
Participants received all conditions (fitted condoms, thin condoms, and standard condoms), with the order in which condoms are received based on permuted block randomization.
Standard Condoms
n=788 Condoms
Participants will receive all conditions (fitted condoms, thin condoms, and standard condoms), with the order in which condoms are received based on permuted block randomization.
Standard Condoms
n=750 Condoms
Standard condoms used for anal sex
Clinical Condom Failure for Anal Sex
5 Condoms
6 Condoms
5 Condoms

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Up to 12 weeks

Population: Persons contributing data regarding performance of at least one condom in the condition.

Our aim was to compare fitted condoms with standard condoms regarding total clinical failure for anal sex among MSM. Clinical condom failure (condom breakage and slippage) was assessed based on questions suggested by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and with a mobile-optimized, web-based home daily coital log completed following each coital event. Clinical failure was calculated according to ISO guidance.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Fitted Condoms
n=813 Condoms
Participants received all conditions (fitted condoms, thin condoms, and standard condoms), with the order in which condoms are received based on permuted block randomization.
Standard Condoms
n=750 Condoms
Participants will receive all conditions (fitted condoms, thin condoms, and standard condoms), with the order in which condoms are received based on permuted block randomization.
Standard Condoms
Standard condoms used for anal sex
Clinical Condom Failure of Fitted Condoms Compared to Standard Condoms for Anal Sex
5 Condoms
5 Condoms

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Up to 12 weeks

Population: The analysis is comprised of pleasure scale scores completed after each sex act, when a study condom was used.

This secondary outcome sought to compare thin condoms with standard condoms regarding levels of reported pleasure, as determined by rating per condom use event. The sexual pleasure scale for this study was developed and validated by the study team (Siegler et. al., Arch Sex Behav. 2018 Aug; 47(6): 1745-1754), and is titled event-level, male sexual pleasure scale (EMSEXpleasure). The scale comprises 11 items with sliding scale response scores. Pleasure scale measurement was assessed with a mobile-optimized, web-based home daily coital log, completed following each coital event. The minimum scale score was zero, the maximum was 100. Higher values indicate greater pleasure. We assessed the difference in mean scores of pleasure for thin condoms versus standard condoms.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Fitted Condoms
n=4740 Sex acts with study condoms
Participants received all conditions (fitted condoms, thin condoms, and standard condoms), with the order in which condoms are received based on permuted block randomization.
Standard Condoms
n=4740 Sex acts with study condoms
Participants will receive all conditions (fitted condoms, thin condoms, and standard condoms), with the order in which condoms are received based on permuted block randomization.
Standard Condoms
Standard condoms used for anal sex
Sexual Pleasure Scale Score for Thin Versus Standard Condoms
71.19 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.77
70.13 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.78

Adverse Events

Fitted Condoms

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 9 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Thin Condoms

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 11 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Standard Condoms

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 6 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Fitted Condoms
n=468 participants at risk
Fitted condoms are available in 56 sizes based on combinations of length (approximately 10mm increments) and circumference (approximately 2 mm increments). Fitted condom thickness is 70 microns ± 10 microns. Appropriate condom size is user-determined with a paper template fitting tool graduated with non- sequential numbering and lettering for maximum privacy. Participants also received ten plain foil packets of 10ml commercially available condom-compatible water-based lubricant.
Thin Condoms
n=469 participants at risk
Thin condoms have dimensions of 185mm ± 10mm length, 53mm ± 2mm width, and 50 microns ± 5 microns thick. Participants also received ten plain foil packets of 10ml commercially available condom-compatible water-based lubricant.
Standard Condoms
n=464 participants at risk
Standard condoms have dimensions of 185mm ± 10mm length, 53mm ± 2mm width, and 70 microns ± 10 microns thick. Participants also received ten plain foil packets of 10ml commercially available condom-compatible water-based lubricant.
Investigations
Symptomatic STI or recent STI diagnosis
0.64%
3/468 • Number of events 3 • The period of study participation, ranging from 0-12 weeks.
We used standard definitions for adverse events
0.85%
4/469 • Number of events 4 • The period of study participation, ranging from 0-12 weeks.
We used standard definitions for adverse events
0.43%
2/464 • Number of events 2 • The period of study participation, ranging from 0-12 weeks.
We used standard definitions for adverse events
Investigations
Condom- or lube-related discomfort
0.85%
4/468 • Number of events 4 • The period of study participation, ranging from 0-12 weeks.
We used standard definitions for adverse events
1.5%
7/469 • Number of events 7 • The period of study participation, ranging from 0-12 weeks.
We used standard definitions for adverse events
0.86%
4/464 • Number of events 4 • The period of study participation, ranging from 0-12 weeks.
We used standard definitions for adverse events
Investigations
Partner discomfort with lubricant
0.21%
1/468 • Number of events 1 • The period of study participation, ranging from 0-12 weeks.
We used standard definitions for adverse events
0.00%
0/469 • The period of study participation, ranging from 0-12 weeks.
We used standard definitions for adverse events
0.00%
0/464 • The period of study participation, ranging from 0-12 weeks.
We used standard definitions for adverse events
Investigations
Partner Urinary Tract Infection
0.21%
1/468 • Number of events 1 • The period of study participation, ranging from 0-12 weeks.
We used standard definitions for adverse events
0.00%
0/469 • The period of study participation, ranging from 0-12 weeks.
We used standard definitions for adverse events
0.00%
0/464 • The period of study participation, ranging from 0-12 weeks.
We used standard definitions for adverse events

Additional Information

Aaron Siegler

Emory University

Phone: 404-712-9733

Results disclosure agreements

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