Trial Outcomes & Findings for Laser Treatment for the Improvement of Scars and Scleroderma (NCT NCT04567537)

NCT ID: NCT04567537

Last Updated: 2026-04-03

Results Overview

The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) is a clinical assessment tool used by healthcare professionals to evaluate the severity and characteristics of scars. It helps clinicians measure how abnormal a scar is compared with normal skin and track changes over time or with treatment. The total score range is 0-13 where a score of 0 indicates normal skin (no abnormal scarring), and a higher score indicates more severe scar features. Therefore, a negative change in Vancouver Score Scale (VCC) post-treatment indicates that the scar improved.

Recruitment status

TERMINATED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

6 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

4 months

Results posted on

2026-04-03

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Hypertrophic Scar
Subjects in this group have hypertrophic scars which are thick, raised scars that form after the skin heals from an injury, such as a cut, burn, surgery, or piercing. It happens when the body produces too much collagen while repairing the skin.
Scleroderma
Subject in this group have scleroderma, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body to produce too much collagen, leading to fibrosis (thickening and hardening of the tissue).
Overall Study
STARTED
6
0
Overall Study
COMPLETED
4
0
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
2
0

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Hypertrophic Scar
Subjects in this group have hypertrophic scars which are thick, raised scars that form after the skin heals from an injury, such as a cut, burn, surgery, or piercing. It happens when the body produces too much collagen while repairing the skin.
Scleroderma
Subject in this group have scleroderma, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body to produce too much collagen, leading to fibrosis (thickening and hardening of the tissue).
Overall Study
Physician Decision
1
0
Overall Study
Lost to Follow-up
1
0

Baseline Characteristics

Laser Treatment for the Improvement of Scars and Scleroderma

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Scars
n=4 Participants
The entire hypertrophic scar will receive laser treatment only. Laser Treatment: Patients will receive three laser treatments at one-month intervals.
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Vancouver Scar Scale
Subject 1
8 number on a scale
n=5 Participants
Vancouver Scar Scale
Subject 2
8 number on a scale
n=5 Participants
Vancouver Scar Scale
Subject 3
6 number on a scale
n=5 Participants
Vancouver Scar Scale
Subject 4
9 number on a scale
n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 4 months

The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) is a clinical assessment tool used by healthcare professionals to evaluate the severity and characteristics of scars. It helps clinicians measure how abnormal a scar is compared with normal skin and track changes over time or with treatment. The total score range is 0-13 where a score of 0 indicates normal skin (no abnormal scarring), and a higher score indicates more severe scar features. Therefore, a negative change in Vancouver Score Scale (VCC) post-treatment indicates that the scar improved.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Hypertrophic Scar
n=4 Participants
Subjects in this group have hypertrophic scars which are thick, raised scars that form after the skin heals from an injury, such as a cut, burn, surgery, or piercing. It happens when the body produces too much collagen while repairing the skin.
Change in Vancouver Scar Scale Score Post-Treatment
Subject 3
-1 score on a scale
Change in Vancouver Scar Scale Score Post-Treatment
Subject 1
-2 score on a scale
Change in Vancouver Scar Scale Score Post-Treatment
Subject 2
-1 score on a scale
Change in Vancouver Scar Scale Score Post-Treatment
Subject 4
-3 score on a scale

Adverse Events

Scars

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
Scars
n=6 participants at risk
The entire hypertrophic scar will receive laser treatment only. Laser Treatment: Patients will receive three laser treatments at one-month intervals.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
16.7%
1/6 • Number of events 1 • 3 months

Additional Information

Dieter Manstein

Massachusetts General Hospital

Phone: 6177264454

Results disclosure agreements

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