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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01996384

Provoked, Localized Vulvodynia Treatment With Acupuncture and Lidocaine Pilot Study

The investigators research project is a randomized, controlled, single-blinded, feasibility pilot study. The investigators will study the feasibility of a novel treatment for women with Provoked Localized Vulvodynia (PLV) with acupuncture and 5% lidocaine cream. Lidocaine is a numbing agent and common first treatment for this disorder. Acupuncture is a treatment commonly used for other pain disorders. The investigators will compare two types of acupuncture (classical and non-classical) as a treatment for PLV, in addition to 5% lidocaine cream. Researchers want to determine if acupuncture is acceptable and convenient to women with PLV. The investigators hypothesize that classical acupuncture and 5% lidocaine cream will be better than non-classical acupuncture and 5% lidocaine cream to decrease PLV pain.

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Key information

Conditions

Provoked, Localized Vulvodynia Chronic Pain Female Urogenital Diseases Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Genital Diseases Genital Diseases, Female Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Provoked Vestibulodynia Signs and Symptoms Urogenital Diseases Vulvar Diseases Vulvar Vestibulitis Vulvitis Vulvodynia

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 1

Primary location

Women's Health Research Unit; Oregon Health & Science University

Portland, Oregon, 97239, United States

About this study

This is a randomized, controlled, single-blinded, pilot trial to study the feasibility and acceptability of acupuncture and 5% lidocaine. Patients will be recruited from the patient population of the Oregon Health & Science University Vulvar Health Clinic. Thirty (30) patients with PLV will be enrolled as study participants into the study. Fifteen (15) will be allocated in the treatment (classical) acupuncture + 5% lidocaine group and fifteen (15) will be allocated in the control (non-classical) acupuncture + 5% lidocaine group via a computer generated randomization program to balance allocation based on four variables: pain intensity, smoking status, body mass index, and pain duration.

The acupuncturist will interview each patient and perform an exam of the pulse and tongue. A standardized acupuncture treatment will be assigned, and both groups will receive 18 acupuncture treatments that follow a standardized protocol on classical or non-classical acupuncture points, with or without mild electrical stimulation. All study participants will self-apply lidocaine cream to their genital region four times daily during the study.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Literate, English speaking, premenopausal, women meeting Friedrich's criteria for Provoked, localized vulvodynia
  • Reported introital dyspareunia longer than three months duration;
  • Average pain score greater than 4 on Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at enrollment with cotton swab test and Tampon Test;
  • Able to insert an Original Regular Tampax™ tampon.

Exclusion criteria

  • Co-existing conditions leading to dyspareunia including generalized unprovoked vulvodynia, atrophic vaginitis, vulvovaginal dermatoses (e.g. lichen sclerosus), or genital infection (e.g. herpes simplex virus or yeast infection).
  • Pregnant or postpartum and breastfeeding;
  • Use of neuromodulator medications (e.g. Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), Tricyclic Antidepressants, or anti-seizure medications) started in the last six months. If taken for longer, must be on a stable dose for at least six months and still report moderate to severe pain. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are allowed;
  • Postmenopausal as defined by surgical or natural menopause (no menses for 12 months);
  • Chronic pelvic pain defined as daily, non-menstrual pain in pelvis or lower abdomen for longer than three months duration;
  • Must be able to refrain from other treatments for PLV including non-traditional options (e.g. other medications, physical therapy, sex therapy, acupuncture, naturopathic remedies) during the course of the study (6 months).
  • Use of SNRIs, lidocaine, or acupuncture within the last three months.

Treatment and study plan

Classical Acupuncture

Procedure

Very thin needles (0.18mm) will be inserted into locations either on the front or the back of the body and may be placed near or far from the affected area. No needles will be inserted into the genital region. Locations needled will be in classical acupuncture points. On even-numbered visits, the needles may be electrically stimulated via an electro-acupuncture machine. Needles will be retained for 30 minutes per study visit. Acupuncture needles used are 0.18x30-40mm, manufactured by Dong Bae Corporation (DBC), Korea. The electrical acupuncture device is Pantheon Research Electrical Stimulator 8c, United States.

Non-classical acupuncture

Procedure

Very thin needles (0.18mm) will be inserted into locations either on the front or the back of the body and may be placed near or far from the affected area. No needles will be inserted into the genital region. Locations needled will be in non-classical acupuncture points. On even-numbered visits, the needles may be electrically stimulated via an electro-acupuncture machine. Needles will be retained for 30 minutes per study visit. Acupuncture needles used are DBC Brand, Korea, 0.18x30-40mm. The electrical acupuncture device is Pantheon Research Electrical Stimulator 8c, United States.

Lidocaine

Drug

Study participants will gently apply 5% lidocaine cream four times daily to vulvar area.

Other names: 5% Lidocaine cream

Primary outcomes

  1. Tampon Test

    Time frame: Weeks 1 and 12 study period

    Primary outcome variable will be to measure the change in the reported pain of the "Tampon Test" (mean at Week 1) to the reported pain of "Tampon Test" (mean of Week 12);

    Every week, study participants will be asked to fully insert and remove a tampon and rate the level of pain with insertion on a 10-point Visual Analog Scale (0 indicating no pain, 10 indication worst possible pain).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Cotton Swab test

    Time frame: Weeks -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 12 or 13 and 24.

    Secondary outcome variable will compare the "Cotton Swab Test" with a blinded assessor reported pain at three timepoints. 1) change in reported pain at (mean at Weeks -2, -1, 0, and 1) to the reported pain (mean at Weeks 12 and 13; 2) change in reported pain (means Weeks -2, -1, 0, and 1) to the reported pain (mean at Week 24); 3) change in reported pain (mean at Week 12) to (mean at Week 24).

    Vestibular tenderness will be assessed by light touch with a cotton swab by a blinded assessor to the study participant's: 1) vestibule (cotton swab test) at four defined points (1:00, 5:00, 7:00, and 11:00); 2) the perineum; 3) labia majora (2:00 and 8:00), and 4) labia minora (4:00 and 10:00). Tenderness at each location will be rated by the Study Participant on a 10-point scale (0 indicating no pain, 10 indicating worst possible pain).

  2. Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Scales

    Time frame: At baseline visit, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks

    Assess changes in scores quality of life, vaginal discomfort, pain intensity, pain interference and behavior, anxiety, and depression at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks compared to baseline.

  3. Satisfaction

    Time frame: Weeks 12 and 24

    Using 5-point scales (Very satisfied, satisfied, neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, dissatisfied, Very dissatisfied), Study participants will be asked how satisfied they are with the study interventions and how satisfied they are with their pain relief.

  4. Expectation

    Time frame: Week 1

    Study participants will be asked about how much they 'expect' the study interventions will or will not help, how much they 'think' the intervention will or will not help, and how much they 'feel' about the intervention will or will not help via 10-point scales.

  5. Feasibility

    Time frame: Weeks 12 and 24

    Assess feasibility by the number of study participants enrolled.

  6. Acceptability

    Time frame: Weeks 12 and 24

    Assess acceptability by the number of study visits attended by participants enrolled.

  7. Tampon Test

    Time frame: Weeks 1 and 6; Weeks 1 and 24

    Secondary outcome variables will be to:

    • measure the change in reported pain of the "Tampon Test" (mean at Week 1) to the reported pain of "Tampon Test" (mean of Week 6);
    • measure the change in reported pain of the "Tampon Test" (mean at Week 1) to the reported pain of "Tampon Test" (mean of Week 24);
    • measure the change in reported pain of the "Tampon Test" (mean at Week 12) to the reported pain of "Tampon Test" (mean of Week 24).

    Every week, study participants will be asked to fully insert and remove a tampon and rate the level of pain with insertion on a 10-point Visual Analog Scale (0 indicating no pain, 10 indication worst possible pain).

Other outcomes

  1. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Diagnosis Category

    Time frame: Week 1

    TCM Diagnosis Category will be recorded and tracked by the primary investigator to determine if it may be a potential predictor of treatment response.

  2. 24-hour mean pain score

    Time frame: Baseline, Weeks 6, 12, and 24

    In a daily pain diary, study participants will be asked to record the level of pain they are experiencing based via the 10-point VAS scale (0 indicates no pain, 10 indicates worst possible pain).

  3. Frequency of intercourse

    Time frame: Baseline, Weeks 6, 12, and 24

    In a daily pain diary, study participants will be asked to record if they engaged in intercourse within the last 24 hours.

  4. Intensity of Intercourse pain

    Time frame: Baseline, Weeks 6, 12, and 24

    In a daily pain diary, study participants will be asked to record the level of pain they are experienced with intercourse based via the 10-point VAS scale (0 indicates no pain, 10 indicates worst possible pain).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Oregon College of Oriental Medicine

Other

Collaborators

  • Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
  • National Vulvodynia Association
  • Oregon Health and Science University

Registry information

Official study title

Acupuncture Augmentation of Lidocaine for the Treatment of Provoked, Localized vulvodynia-a Feasibility and Acceptability Pilot Study

Important dates

Study start
2013
Primary completion
2016
Study completion
2016
First posted
Nov 27, 2013
Registry last updated
Oct 6, 2017

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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