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Radiotherapy Side EffectGynLightNCT05165056

Photobiomodulation Therapy in the Prevention and Management of Radiotherapy-induced Vaginal Toxicity

A study testing Intimleds in people with Radiotherapy Side Effect and Vaginal Abnormality, run by Jessa Hospital at 2 sites in Belgium.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in the prevention and management of radiotherapy-induced vaginal toxicity (RIVT). Therefore, we hypothesize that PBMT can reduce the severity of RIVT in gynecological cancer patients, increasing the patient's QoL and sexual… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older, women only
Conditions the study is for
Radiotherapy Side Effect, Vaginal Abnormality
What is being tested?
Intimleds
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
62 participants
Where
2 sitesBelgium
Study dates
24 Aug 2022to Jan 2030
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • Women only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Diagnosed with endometrial cancer
  • Scheduled for external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), intracavitary brachytherapy (BT), or a combination
  • Age ≥ 18 years
  • Able to comply to the study protocol
  • Able to sign written informed consent

Who cannot join

  • Metastatic disease
  • Pregnancy
  • Diagnosis of vaginal stenosis before radiotherapy (RT)
  • Previous pelvic tumor or pelvic RT
  • Interruption of RT for more than five sessions
  • Severe psychological disorder or dementia.
Show all 9Show fewer
  • Inability to speak and understand Dutch
  • Substance abuse patients or patients with medical, psychological or social conditions that may interfere with the patient's participation in the study or evaluation of the study results as judged by the investigator
  • Any condition that is unstable or could affect the safety of the patient and their compliance in the study as judged by the investigator

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Jeroen Mebis, Prof. Dr. contact

+32 11 33 72 21

jeroen.mebis@jessazh.be

Marithé Claes, MSc contact

+32 11 33 72 39

marithe.claes@uhasselt.be

Belgium2 sites, 2 recruiting
  • Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg

    Genk, Limburg, 3600

    Evelyn Van de Werf, Dr., +32 89 32 65 61, Evelyn.VandeWerf@zol.be

    Marithé Claes, MSc, +32 11 33 72 39, marithe.claes@uhasselt.be

    Recruiting
  • Jessa Hospital

    Hasselt, Limburg, 3500

    Jeroen Mebis, Prof. Dr., +32 11 33 72 21, jeroen.mebis@jessazh.be

    Marithé Marithé, MSc, +32 11 33 72 39, marithe.claes@uhasselt.be

    Recruiting

Other trials in Belgium

About this study

Official title: Evaluating the Feasibility and Efficacy of Photobiomodulation Therapy in the Prevention and Management of Radiotherapy-induced Vaginal Toxicity: a Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in the prevention and management of radiotherapy-induced vaginal toxicity (RIVT). Therefore, we hypothesize that PBMT can reduce the severity of RIVT in gynecological cancer patients, increasing the patient's QoL and sexual functioning.

Read the detailed description

The global cancer burden keeps rising, and the accompanied side effects remain a significant concern. This project focuses on one of such complications: radiotherapy-induced vaginal toxicity (RIVT). The use of external and internal radiotherapy in gynecological cancers can severely impact the patient's vaginal function. This influences the patient's quality of life (QoL), as it significantly limits sexual intercourse and further physical examination. Management of RIVT urgently requires a comprehensive approach. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is a non-invasive form of phototherapy that utilizes visible and/or near-infrared light to trigger a cascade of intracellular reactions. PBMT can be used to improve wound healing, and to reduce pain, inflammation, and edema. Literature shows that PBMT can be used for treating the genitourinary syndrome of menopause as it stimulates the synthesis of collagen and elastin and promotes vasodilation in the vaginal submucosa. To date, no clinical trials have investigated the positive effects of PBMT on RIVT.

Being tested
Intimleds
Keywords
Photobiomodulation therapy
Medical subject headings
Radiation Injuries

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • IntimledsDevice

    INTIMILEDS® is a photobiomodulation device designed for intravaginal use. It's design permits an irradiation of the whole vaginal wall, the vulva, and the cervix, with a constant intensity.

Study groups in NCT05165056
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Treatment groupExperimentalPatients allocated to the treatment group will receive institutional standard vaginal care in combined with twice weekly PBMT sessions during the radiotherapy course and until two weeks after the end of radiotherapy.
Receives: Device: Intimleds
Control groupNo interventionPatients allocated to the control group will receive institutional standard vaginal care.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. CTCAE-score

    The physician will score the patient's vaginal dryness, discharge, inflammation, stricture, pain and hemorrhage according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE)

    Measured: Baseline

  2. CTCAE-score

    The physician will score the patient's vaginal dryness, discharge, inflammation, stricture, pain and hemorrhage according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE)

    Measured: Two weeks post radiotherapy

  3. CTCAE-score

    The physician will score the patient's vaginal dryness, discharge, inflammation, stricture, pain and hemorrhage according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE)

    Measured: Three months post radiotherapy

  4. RIVT symptoms

    The patient will score their symptoms (dryness, pruritus, discharge, hemorrhage and a burning sensation) via a numeric rating scale (NRS) ranging from 0 (symptom absent) to 10 (most severe form).

    Measured: Baseline

  5. RIVT symptoms

    The patient will score their symptoms (dryness, pruritus, discharge, hemorrhage and a burning sensation) via a NRS ranging from 0 (symptom absent) to 10 (most severe form).

    Measured: Final radiotherapy session

  6. RIVT symptoms

    The patient will score their symptoms (dryness, pruritus, discharge, hemorrhage and a burning sensation) via a NRS ranging from 0 (symptom absent) to 10 (most severe form).

    Measured: Two weeks post radiotherapy

  7. RIVT symptoms

    The patient will score their symptoms (dryness, pruritus, discharge, hemorrhage and a burning sensation) via a NRS ranging from 0 (symptom absent) to 10 (most severe form).

    Measured: Three months post radiotherapy

  8. RIVT symptoms

    The patient will score their symptoms (dryness, pruritus, discharge, hemorrhage and a burning sensation) via a NRS ranging from 0 (symptom absent) to 10 (most severe form).

    Measured: One year post radiotherapy

Secondary outcomes (22)
  1. Vaginal health index (VHI)

    A clinical exam will be performed by the physician to evaluate vaginal elasticity, vaginal secretion, pH, epithelial integrity and moisture. These five parameters will be scored on the on the VHI, from 1 (severe symptoms) to 5 (normal vaginal health). A total score can be calculated by adding the scores of the different parameters

    Measured: Baseline

  2. Vaginal health index (VHI)

    A clinical exam will be performed by the physician to evaluate vaginal elasticity, vaginal secretion, pH, epithelial integrity and moisture. These five parameters will be scored on the on the VHI, from 1 (severe symptoms) to 5 (normal vaginal health). A total score can be calculated by adding the scores of the different parameters

    Measured: Two weeks post radiotherapy

  3. Vaginal health index (VHI)

    A clinical exam will be performed by the physician to evaluate vaginal elasticity, vaginal secretion, pH, epithelial integrity and moisture. These five parameters will be scored on the on the VHI, from 1 (severe symptoms) to 5 (normal vaginal health). A total score can be calculated by adding the scores of the different parameters

    Measured: Three months post radiotherapy

  4. Pain score

    A NRS (0, no pain to 10, the most severe pain) will be used to evaluate the patient's pain level due to the RIVT.

    Measured: Baseline

  5. Pain score

    A NRS (0, no pain to 10, the most severe pain) will be used to evaluate the patient's pain level due to the RIVT.

    Measured: Two weeks post radiotherapy

  6. Pain score

    A NRS (0, no pain to 10, the most severe pain) will be used to evaluate the patient's pain level due to the RIVT.

    Measured: Three months post radiotherapy

  7. Pain score

    A NRS (0, no pain to 10, the most severe pain) will be used to evaluate the patient's pain level due to the RIVT.

    Measured: One year post radiotherapy

  8. Quality of Life score

    The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is a multidimensional, self-reported questionnaire that evaluates the patient's sexual functioning. The questionnaire consists of 19 questions, divided into six subscales (sexual desire, sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasms, sexual gratification and pain during intercourse). The total score ranges from 2 (severely compromised sexual functioning) to 36 (excellent sexual functioning).

    Measured: Baseline

  9. Quality of Life score

    The European Organization for Research and Treatment for Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires (EORTC QLQ) will be used to assess the patients' quality of life.

    Measured: Two weeks post radiotherapy

  10. Quality of Life score

    The European Organization for Research and Treatment for Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires (EORTC QLQ) will be used to assess the patients' quality of life.

    Measured: Three months post radiotherapy

  11. Quality of Life score

    The European Organization for Research and Treatment for Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires (EORTC QLQ) will be used to assess the patients' quality of life.

    Measured: One year post radiotherapy

  12. Sexual functioning score

    The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is a multidimensional, self-reported questionnaire that evaluates the patient's sexual functioning. The questionnaire consists of 19 questions, divided into six subscales (sexual desire, sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasms, sexual gratification and pain during intercourse). The total score ranges from 2 (severely compromised sexual functioning) to 36 (excellent sexual functioning).

    Measured: Baseline

  13. Sexual functioning score

    The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is a multidimensional, self-reported questionnaire that evaluates the patient's sexual functioning. The questionnaire consists of 19 questions, divided into six subscales (sexual desire, sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasms, sexual gratification and pain during intercourse). The total score ranges from 2 (severely compromised sexual functioning) to 36 (excellent sexual functioning).

    Measured: Two weeks post radiotherapy

  14. Sexual functioning score

    The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is a multidimensional, self-reported questionnaire that evaluates the patient's sexual functioning. The questionnaire consists of 19 questions, divided into six subscales (sexual desire, sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasms, sexual gratification and pain during intercourse). The total score ranges from 2 (severely compromised sexual functioning) to 36 (excellent sexual functioning).

    Measured: Three months post radiotherapy

  15. Sexual functioning score

    The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is a multidimensional, self-reported questionnaire that evaluates the patient's sexual functioning. The questionnaire consists of 19 questions, divided into six subscales (sexual desire, sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasms, sexual gratification and pain during intercourse). The total score ranges from 2 (severely compromised sexual functioning) to 36 (excellent sexual functioning).

    Measured: One year post radiotherapy

  16. Sexual distress score

    The multidimensional, self-reported Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised 2005 (FSDS-R) questionnaire will be used to evaluate the patient's sexual distress. This questionnaire consists of 13 items scored from 0 (never occurring) to 4 (always occurring). A score of 11 or more effectively discriminates between patients with female sexual distress and patients without distress.

    Measured: Baseline

  17. Sexual distress score

    The multidimensional, self-reported Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised 2005 (FSDS-R) questionnaire will be used to evaluate the patient's sexual distress. This questionnaire consists of 13 items scored from 0 (never occurring) to 4 (always occurring). A score of 11 or more effectively discriminates between patients with female sexual distress and patients without distress.

    Measured: Two weeks post radiotherapy

  18. Sexual distress score

    The multidimensional, self-reported Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised 2005 (FSDS-R) questionnaire will be used to evaluate the patient's sexual distress. This questionnaire consists of 13 items scored from 0 (never occurring) to 4 (always occurring). A score of 11 or more effectively discriminates between patients with female sexual distress and patients without distress.

    Measured: Three months post radiotherapy

  19. Sexual distress score

    The multidimensional, self-reported Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised 2005 (FSDS-R) questionnaire will be used to evaluate the patient's sexual distress. This questionnaire consists of 13 items scored from 0 (never occurring) to 4 (always occurring). A score of 11 or more effectively discriminates between patients with female sexual distress and patients without distress.

    Measured: One year post radiotherapy

  20. Satisfaction score

    The patients will be asked to evaluate the general pleasantness and soothing effect of the therapeutic intervention. Furthermore, they will be asked to score their global satisfaction with the therapeutic intervention. The patients will score their satisfaction regarding their treatment on the NRS scale 0 (totally not satisfied) to 10 (very satisfied).

    Measured: Two weeks post radiotherapy

  21. Satisfaction score

    The patients will be asked to evaluate the general pleasantness and soothing effect of the therapeutic intervention. Furthermore, they will be asked to score their global satisfaction with the therapeutic intervention. The patients will score their satisfaction regarding their treatment on the NRS scale 0 (totally not satisfied) to 10 (very satisfied).

    Measured: Three months post radiotherapy

  22. Satisfaction score

    The patients will be asked to evaluate the general pleasantness and soothing effect of the therapeutic intervention. Furthermore, they will be asked to score their global satisfaction with the therapeutic intervention. The patients will score their satisfaction regarding their treatment on the NRS scale 0 (totally not satisfied) to 10 (very satisfied).

    Measured: One year post radiotherapy

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted21 Dec 2021
  2. Study start24 Aug 2022
  3. Primary completionJan 2030 (estimated)
  4. Study completionJan 2030 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
62 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05165056
Sponsor's protocol ID
2021/099
Acronym
GynLight
Status last verified
Sep 2023
First submitted
23 Nov 2021
Last updated
29 Sep 2023
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Intimleds in people with Radiotherapy Side Effect and Vaginal Abnormality, run by Jessa Hospital at 2 sites in Belgium.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 Sep 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in Belgium. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Jeroen Mebis, Prof. Dr. (+32 11 33 72 21, jeroen.mebis@jessazh.be), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

CTCAE-score (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 8 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 29 Sep 2023.

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