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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04936542

A Study to Compare the Safety and Efficacy of Dysport® and Botox® in Adults With Upper Limb Spasticity.

This study is aiming to demonstrate the non-inferiority of AbobotulinumtoxinA (aboBoNT-A) versus OnabotulinumtoxinA (onaBoNT-A) as the primary safety endpoint, and the superiority of aboBoNT-A over onaBoNT-A with respect to duration of response as the key secondary efficacy endpoint when used at optimal doses according to approved prescribing information of each product.

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Key information

Age range

18 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 4

Primary location

Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada

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Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Participant must be 18 to 80 years of age inclusive, at the time of signing the informed consent
  • 2a. [US/France] Participants with stable Upper Limb Spasticity (ULS) for at least 3 months, in whom treatment of only one upper limb is necessary for the duration of the study;
  • 2b. [Canada] Participants with stable post-stroke ULS for at least 3 months, in whom treatment of only one upper limb is necessary for the duration of the study
  • Participants who are either naïve to Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) for ULS or who have been previously treated with BoNT-A for ULS;
  • Participants with MAS score of at least 2 at two muscle groups (one of these two muscles groups should be the PTMG) and at least 1 in the remaining muscle group.
  • Participants with DAS score of at least 2 on the Principal Target of Treatment (PTT) (one of four functional domains: dressing, hygiene, limb position and pain);
  • Participants who require BoNT-A injection in all of the following muscles: flexor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor digitorum profundus, flexor digitorum superficialis and biceps brachii;
  • Participants for whom injection of a total dose of 900 Units aboBoNT-A or 360 Units onaBoNT-A is considered by the investigator to be clinically appropriate;
  • Participants who have been stable for at least 3 months prior to study entry in terms of oral antispasticity, anticoagulant and/or anticholinergic medication if treated are considered by the investigator likely to remain stable for the duration of the study;
  • Contraceptive use by men or women should be consistent with local regulations regarding the methods of contraception for those participating in clinical studies.
  • Male participants: Male participants must agree that, if their partner is at risk of becoming pregnant, they will use an effective method of contraception. The participants must agree to use the contraception during the whole period of the study.
  • Female participants:A female participant is eligible to participate if she is not pregnant or breastfeeding, and one of the following conditions applies:
  • Is a woman of non-childbearing potential, defined as postmenopausal for at least

1 year; surgical sterilisation at least 3 months before entering the study; or hysterectomy. or

  • Is a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) and using an acceptable contraceptive method during the entire study period.A WOCBP must have a negative highly sensitive pregnancy test at screening (urine or serum) as required by local regulations.

Exclusion criteria

  • Major limitations in the passive range of motion in the paretic upper limb;
  • Major neurological impairment (other than limb paresis) that could negatively affect functional performance;
  • Participants clinically requiring injection into any upper limb muscles other than the five muscles of one arm listed in Section 5.1, or requiring injection into both arms or any lower limb within the timeframe of the study;
  • Hypersensitivity to any BoNT product or excipients;
  • Hypersensitivity to cow's milk protein (casein);
  • Infection at the proposed injection site(s);
  • Known peripheral motor neuropathic diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or neuromuscular junction disorders (e.g. myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome);
  • Any medical condition (including dysphagia or breathing difficulties/compromised respiratory function) that in the opinion of the investigator, might jeopardize the participant's safety;
  • abnormal screening/baseline findings or any other medical condition(s) that, in the opinion of the investigator, might jeopardise the participant's safety
  • Women who are pregnant or lactating
  • In the clinical judgement of the investigator, BoNT treatment is inappropriate
  • BoNT naïve participants with a history of facial neurogenic disorder (facial paralysis, polyradiculoneuropathy) (only for France)
  • Participants treated with BoNT of any type for any indication (e.g. bladder injection, headache or cosmetic) within the previous 12 weeks or planned/likely to be treated during the course of the study;
  • Prior history of non-responsiveness to BoNT treatment;
  • Previous surgery, or administration of alcohol or phenol in the study limb 6 months or earlier from study enrolment or planned/likely to be treated during the course of the study;
  • Participants treated with intrathecal baclofen (except if treatment has reached a stable dose for >4 weeks and is likely to remain stable throughout the study), aminoglycosides or other agents interfering with neuromuscular transmission (e.g. curare-like agents) within the 4 weeks prior to study enrolment or planned/likely to be treated during the course of the study
  • Participants receiving concomitant medication treatment with the following PT/OT interventions on the study limb: new splinting/orthotics/casting, serial casting, shockwave therapy, dry needling and needle tenotomies. However, PT/OT interventions not intended to reduce study limb spasticity (e.g. functional training exercises) or with a transient (<1 day) reduction of study limb spasticity (e.g. stretching, weight bearing) are allowed.
  • Participants previously randomised for this study
  • Participants unwilling or unable to understand the nature, scope and possible consequences of the study and to comply with study procedures and requirements
  • Participants currently enrolled in any other clinical study or have participated in one within the 12 weeks (or 5 half-lives of the investigational product of that study, whichever is longer) prior to enrolment/inclusion visit, or are scheduled to receive a new investigational drug while the study is ongoing

Treatment and study plan

AboBoNT-A

Biological

AbobotulinumtoxinA for injection: 500 Unit vial. Dose: 900 Units (3.6 mL)

Other names: Dysport®

OnaBoNT-A

Biological

OnabotulinumtoxinA for injection: 200 Unit vial. Dose: 360 Units (3.6 mL)

Other names: Botox®

Primary outcomes

  1. Percentage of Participants With Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) From Injection to 12 Weeks

    Time frame: From Baseline (Injection: Day 1) up to 12 weeks

    An AE was any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study treatment, whether or not considered related to the study treatment. A TEAE was defined for each treatment cycle as any AE that occurred during the cycle if it was not present prior to treatment injection, or it was present prior to treatment injection but the intensity increased during the cycle. Percentage of participants with TEAEs that occurred during each cycle from injection to 12 weeks after injection (until 84 days after injection or until the day prior to next injection day or until end of study/early withdrawal day whichever occurred first) is presented. Percentages are rounded off to the tenth decimal place.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Number of Participants With Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs), Treatment-Emergent Serious Adverse Events (TESAEs) and Adverse Events of Special Interest (AESIs) From Injection to 12 Weeks

    Time frame: From Baseline (Injection: Day 1) up to 12 weeks

    AE: any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with use of study treatment, whether or not considered related to study treatment. SAE: any untoward medical occurrence that, at any dose: resulted in death, was life-threatening, required inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, resulted in persistent or significant disability/incapacity, was a congenital anomaly/birth defect, was a suspected transmission of any infectious agent via an authorized medicinal product, or any other medically important event. TEAE for each treatment cycle: any AE that occurred during cycle if it was not present prior to treatment injection, or it was present prior to treatment injection but intensity increased during cycle. ADR: any TEAE that was assessed by Investigator as related to study treatment. AESI: TEAE that suggested a possible remote spread of toxin or events suggestive of hypersensitivity like reactions.

  2. Adjusted Least Square Mean of Duration of Response Based on Retreatment Criteria

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) up to Week 10 (earliest) if retreatment criteria were met, or up to Week 24 (latest) if retreatment criteria were not met

    The duration of response was defined for Cycle 1 as time between Cycle 1 injection and the first Cycle 1 visit when retreatment criteria were met (from Week 10 visit), or time between Cycle 1 injection and study withdrawal if the participant discontinued from the study before Cycle 2 injection without meeting retreatment criteria; for Cycle 2 as time between Cycle 2 injection and the first Cycle 2 visit when retreatment criteria were met (from Week 10 visit), or time between Cycle 2 injection and end of study if the participant completed the study or discontinued from the study after Cycle 2 injection without meeting retreatment criteria. It was calculated as the date of retreatment criteria met or withdrawal date (or last visit date for lost to follow-up participants) or completion date - date of injection + 1.

  3. Adjusted Least Square Mean of Muscle Tone Assessed by the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for Finger, Wrist and Elbow Flexors Based on Primary Target Muscle Group (PTMG) at Week 12

    Time frame: Week 12 (Cycles 1 and 2; each cycle was 12 to 24 weeks)

    Muscle tone for finger, wrist, elbow flexors assessed with MAS tool using scale: 0= no increase in muscle tone, 1= slight increase in muscle tone, manifested by a catch and release or by minimal resistance at end of range of motion (ROM) when affected part(s) was moved in flexion or extension, 1+= slight increase in muscle tone, manifested by a catch, followed by minimal resistance throughout remainder of ROM, 2= more marked increase in muscle tone through most of ROM, but affected part(s) easily moved, 3= considerable increase in muscle tone, passive movement difficult, 4= affected part(s) rigid in flexion or extension. PTMG included finger, wrist or elbow flexors which were selected by Investigators at screening as muscle group with highest MAS score. MAS total score was calculated as the sum of scores for all 3 joints (finger, wrist, elbow), ranged from: 0 (best) to 12 (worst); higher scores indicated worse outcomes.

  4. Adjusted Least Square Mean of Perceived Function and Pain Assessed by the Disability Assessment Scale (DAS) Based on Principal Target of Treatment (PTT) at Week 12

    Time frame: Week 12 (Cycles 1 and 2; each cycle was 12 to 24 weeks)

    The DAS was used to determine the extent of functional impairment in 4 domains: hygiene, dressing, limb position and pain. Impairment was assessed on a 4-point scale: 0= no disability, 1= mild disability (noticeable but did not interfere significantly with normal activities), 2= moderate disability (normal activities required increased effort and/or assistance) and 3= severe disability (normal activities limited). The 4 domain ratings were added to obtain DAS total score which ranged between 0 (best) and 12 (worst); higher scores indicated severe disability. The PTT was defined at screening as 1 of the 4 domains, with an associated DAS score for assessment.

  5. Adjusted Least Square Mean of Physician Global Assessment (PGA) of Treatment Response at Week 12

    Time frame: Week 12 (Cycles 1 and 2; each cycle was 12 to 24 weeks)

    The PGA of treatment response was assessed by asking the Investigator the following question: 'how would you rate the response to treatment in the participant's upper limb since the last injection?' and answered on a 9-point rating scale (-4: markedly worse, -3: much worse, -2: worse, -1: slightly worse, 0: no change, +1: slightly improved, +2: improved, +3: much improved and +4: markedly improved). Higher scores indicate greater better outcomes. 'Any improvement' in PGA was defined by a score including: +1, +2, +3 and +4.

  6. Change From Baseline to Weeks 4, 12 and 24 (End of Cycle) in Quality of Life (QoL) Assessed by the 12-Item Short Form (SF-12) Health Survey Perceived Health Score: Physical Component Summary (PCS-12) and Mental Component Summary (MCS-12) Scores

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) and Weeks 4, 12, and 24 (end of cycle) (Cycles 1 and 2; each cycle was 12 to 24 weeks)

    SF-12 consisted of 12 questions & asked respondent to answer questions as they pertained to way he/she felt or acted during past week. SF-12 covered 8 domains of health:physical functioning(PF),role physical(RP),bodily pain(BP),general health(GH),vitality(VT),social functioning(SF),role emotional(RE) & mental health(MH). Score range for each of 8 domains:0(maximum disability) to 100(no disability);higher scores:good QoL. Responses on SF-12 were used to obtain 2 summary scores:PCS-12 contributed by PF,RP,BP, and GH and MCS-12 contributed by MH,RE,SF and VT. Summations of item scores of same domains gave sub-scale scores,which were transformed to obtain summary scores of PCS-12 & MCS-12. Both PCS-12 & MCS-12 scores ranged from 0(worst) to 100(best);higher scores:better QoL.Baseline:last non-missing measurement prior to first study treatment administration.Change from baseline in QoL assessed by SF-12 health survey perceived health score based on PCS-12 and MCS-12 scores is presented.

  7. Change From Baseline to Weeks 4, 12 and 24 (End of Cycle) in Quality of Life Assessed by the Spasticity-Related Quality of Life Tool (SQoL-6D)

    Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) and Weeks 4, 12, and 24 (end of Cycle) (Cycles 1 and 2; each cycle was 12 to 24 weeks)

    The SQoL-6D questionnaire was a brief questionnaire in 6 domains: pain/discomfort, involuntary movements or spasms, restricted range of movement, caring for the affected limb, using the affected limb and mobility/balance which was designed to assess QoL in relation to spasticity that affected the upper limb, which included the arm, shoulder or hand. Each dimension was assessed by asking participants about symptoms within the last 7 days, using a 5-level scale ranging from 0 (best) to 4 (worst); higher scores indicated worse condition. The mean of the 6-dimension scores was calculated to obtain the total score which ranged from 0 (worse) to 100 (best); higher score indicated better QoL. Baseline was defined as the last non-missing measurement prior to first study treatment administration. Change from Baseline in QoL assessed by SQoL-6D is presented.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ipsen

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

A Multicentre, Interventional, Post-marketing, Randomised, Double-blind, Crossover Study to Evaluate the Clinical Safety and Efficacy of AbobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport®) in Comparison With OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox®) When Treating Adults With Upper Limb Spasticity

Acronym: DIRECTION

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jun 23, 2021
Registry last updated
Jul 9, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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