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NCT Number: NCT06675344

The Apollo Device in Systemic Sclerosis for the Management of fatiguE, Raynaud Phenomenon and qualiTy of Life

The purpose of this study it to test the efficacy of a wearable device to improve symptom management and maximize qualify of life in systemic Sclerosis (SSc) patients in a randomized trial. Specifically, we will evaluate if the Apollo Neuro device may improve the two specific symptoms highest ranked by patients as affecting qualify of life (fatigue, Raynaud phenomenon) as co-primary outcomes.

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Key information

Conditions

Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) Cardiovascular Diseases Connective Tissue Diseases Embolism and Thrombosis Fatigue Livedoid Vasculopathy Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Peripheral Vascular Diseases Raynaud Disease Scleroderma, Diffuse Scleroderma, Systemic Signs and Symptoms Skin Diseases Skin Diseases, Vascular Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases Thrombosis Vascular Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

DelRicht Research Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

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About this study

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem autoimmune disease that is characterized by progressive vasculopathy, excessive fibrosis, and immune system activation. Fatigue in SSc is common and greatly impacts quality of life: The prevalence of fatigue in SSc patients is significantly higher than the general population. Raynaud phenomenon (RP) in SSc is not only the most common SSc manifestation, affecting nearly all but is often the earliest SSc symptom. SSc-RP is the highest ranked SSc-related symptom affecting quality of life, and is a major cause of SSc-related morbidity. There are currently no approved medications to treat RP, SSc-associated RP phenomenon or fatigue in SSc. Thus, a non-pharmacologic intervention has the potential to provide SSc patients with a new treatment modality without common limiting side effects, and access. The Apollo wearable provides transcutaneous vibratory stimulation, and can be worn on the wrist or ankle.

Goal: To recruit 160 SSc patient participants into this randomized, sham-device controlled clinical trial. Patients will be randomized 1:1 to receive the Apollo vs. sham wearable, which they will wear daily for 6 weeks.

Outcome measures focus on quality-of-life.

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Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age ≥ 18 years
  • Ability to provide written informed consent,
  • Diagnosis of SSc, as defined by the 2013 ACR/EULAR classification of SSc64 with a positive ANA
  • Baseline score ≥55 on the FACIT-Fatigue scale,
  • Presence of Raynaud phenomenon with ASRAP-SF severity of T-score ≥40,
  • Steady daily doses and any immunosuppressive medication, vasodilators or other medications used to treat pulmonary hypertension, antidepressants and anxiolytic use for 4 weeks prior to baseline
  • Currently owns and operates an iOS or Android smart phone regularly
  • Ability to comply with the clinical visits schedule and the study-related procedures.

Exclusion criteria

  • History of sympathectomy or stellate ganglion block
  • History of Botox injections to the digits within the last 3 months
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Major surgery within 8 weeks
  • Hospitalization for any reason within four weeks of the study baseline visit
  • Active malignancy
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women,
  • End-stage renal disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate < 15 mL/min/1.73m2) or on dialysis,
  • Hepatic insufficiency as defined by function worse than Child-Pugh Class B
  • Medication exclusions:
  • actively prescribed standing doses of beta-blockers,
  • actively prescribed standing doses of sedatives, hypnotics, opioids, benzodiazepines or anti-psychotic medications.

Treatment and study plan

Apollo Neuro Device

Device

The Apollo Neuro wearable device is an Apple Watch-sized wearable device that delivers vibration at set frequencies , termed transcutaneous vibratory stimulation, or TVS. These low volume sound waves feel like a soothing touch to the skin (TVS) and activate touch receptors. Apollo is controlled via smartphone and worn on the wrist or ankle. The Apollo is fitted with an adjustable band, made of a durable neoprene material with polyester overlays. Participants are asked to wear it daily for a minimum time period for 6 weeks. Users can choose from different modes of vibration, with some being energizing, others relaxing.

Sham device

Device

The Apollo Neuro is an Apple Watch-sized wearable device that delivers vibration, termed transcutaneous vibratory stimulation, or TVS. The sham device is identical in appearance to the active intervention, but provides a lower frequency vibration that has no known therapeutic benefit.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in fatigue

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 Weeks

    The PROMIS® (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) SF v1.0 Fatigue 13a scale. This is a13-item, patient reported measure of an individual's level of fatigue during their usual daily activities over the past week. The raw score is converted to a T-score for analysis with 50 for the mean and a standard deviation of 10.

  2. Change in average weekly Raynaud attacks

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 Weeks

    Average number of weekly Raynaud attacks. Over a period of one week, patients will record their Raynaud phenomenon (RP) attack frequency via a smartphone app. The Raynaud app is usable on both Apple iPhones and Android phones.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in quality of life

    Time frame: baseline up to week 6

    The EuroQol (EQ)-5D-5L will be used. The quality-of-life assessment instrument has 5 dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression plus a patient global assessment visual analog scale (VAS). In the EQ-5D-5L each dimension is ranked on 5 levels of severity. Full health is a score of 1 and values below zero are regarded as a state worse than death.

  2. Change in Raynaud phenomenon symptom severity

    Time frame: baseline to week 6

    The ASRAP (Assessment of Scleroderma-associated RAynaud's Phenomenon) Questionnaire Short form is a 10-item patient self-report questionnaire regarding symptoms over the last week. Raw scores are converted to T-score with a median of 50.

  3. Change in the Raynaud Condition Score

    Time frame: baseline to week 6

    The Raynaud Condition Score is a patient-reported outcome of a single question regarding Raynaud severity. It is a visual analog scale with a results range of 0-100. A score of 0 is no symptoms, and 100 is severe symptoms. It is recommended by OMERACT for assessment of Raynaud phenomenon.

  4. Change Sleep

    Time frame: change from baseline to week 6

    PROMIS® Sleep disturbance short form 4a will be used. This 4-item questionnaire uses a 5-point Likert scale for responses, inquiring about symptoms over the last week. Raw scores are converted to T-scores, with a mean of 50 and SD of 10.

  5. Change in pain

    Time frame: baseline to week 6

    We will use the PROMIS pain interference (v1.1- Short Form 4a) questionnaire which poses 4 questions regarding the last week of pain symptoms. Responses are in a 5-point likert scale from not at all to very much. Raw scores are converted to T-scores for analysis with a median of 50 and standard deviation of 10.

  6. Change in depression

    Time frame: change baseline to week 6

    Depression as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8). These 8 questions are responded to with a Likert scale of 0(never) up to 3 (always) with a score range of 0-27.

  7. Change in Social Function

    Time frame: baseline to week 6

    Captured using PROMIS Short Form v2.0 - Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities 4a. This is a 4-question survey, with respondents answering a 5-point likert scale from 'never' to 'always'. Raw scores are converted to T-scores with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10.

  8. Change in dysautonomia symptoms

    Time frame: baseline to week 6

    Change in dysautonomia symptoms as measured with the COMPASS-31 scale. This is a 31-question instrument which includes six domains: orthostatic intolerance, vasomotor, secretomotor, gastrointestinal, bladder and pupillomotor . A higher score indicates worse autonomic function. Following appropriate weighting, this instrument provides an autonomic symptom score from 0 to 100.

  9. Change in pain intensity

    Time frame: baseline to week 6

    PROMIS® Numeric Rating Scale v.1.0 - Pain Intensity 1a will be used. This is a single question inquiring about pain in the last week, rating from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain).

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Maureen M Laffoon, BS

CONTACT

[email protected]

412-648-7871

Robyn T Domsic, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

412-647-6700

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Robyn T. Domsic, MD, MPH

Other

Collaborators

  • United States Department of Defense

Registry information

Official study title

A Randomized, Double-blind, Clinical Trial of the Apollo Device in Systemic Sclerosis for the Management of fatiguE, Raynaud Phenomenon and qualiTy of Life (ASScERT-QoL)

Acronym: ASScERT-QoL

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Nov 5, 2024
Registry last updated
Jan 8, 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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