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Pregnancy, High RiskNCT05653362

Coconut Oil vs. Commercial Ultrasound Gel In Obstetric Ultrasounds

A study testing Coconut Oil and Commercial Ultrasound Gel in people with Pregnancy, High Risk, run by Indiana University at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to compare the use of coconut oil with commercial ultrasound gel for obstetrical ultrasounds. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. To evaluate the quality of ultrasound images obtained using coconut oil compared with commercial ultrasound gel. 2. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 60 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Pregnancy, High Risk
What is being tested?
Coconut Oil and Commercial Ultrasound Gel
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
40 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
1 Dec 2021to 22 Dec 2021
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

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 to 60 years
  • Women only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Singleton pregnancy
  • Patients presenting for an anatomy or growth US
  • Patients assigned to the pre-determined ultrasound suite that will stay constant throughout the study so that the same ultrasound machine is used to obtain all images.

Who cannot join

  • Allergy to coconut
  • Active inflammatory dermatologic conditions (dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis)
  • Multiple gestation pregnancy

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health

    Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: A Randomized Trial Evaluating Coconut Oil as an Alternative to Commercial Ultrasound Gel in Obstetrical Ultrasounds

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to compare the use of coconut oil with commercial ultrasound gel for obstetrical ultrasounds. The main questions it aims to answer are:

  1. To evaluate the quality of ultrasound images obtained using coconut oil compared with commercial ultrasound gel.
  2. To access patient acceptability of coconut oil as compared to commercial ultrasound gel.

Participants will:

  1. Allow a total of 6 study images to be obtained; 3 using coconut oil and 3 with commercial ultrasound gel.
  2. Fill out a 10-question, 5-point Likert scale survey following their ultrasound with both coupling mediums to compare acceptability.
Read the detailed description

After receiving institutional review board approval, we conducted a randomized 2x2 crossover study. Patients could be enrolled in the study if they had a singleton pregnancy and were presenting for a routine growth or anatomy ultrasound. Exclusion criteria included an allergy to coconut, active inflammatory dermatologic conditions, and a multiple gestation pregnancy. A single ultrasound machine (GE Voluson E10) was used to obtain all images during this study. The three standard fetal biometry views - biparietal diameter (BPD)/head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), and femur length (FL) - were obtained by qualified ultrasound technicians for each patient with both coupling agents, for a total of six study images per patient. After obtaining written consent, study data were collected and managed using REDCap electronic data capture tools. REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) is a secure, web-based application designed to support data capture for research studies, providing: 1) an intuitive interface for validated data entry; 2) audit trails for tracking data manipulation and export procedures; 3) automated export procedures for seamless data downloads to common statistical packages; and 4) procedures for importing data from external sources.

Patients were randomized to either starting their scheduled ultrasound exam by obtaining the three study images using coconut oil and then proceeding with the standard ultrasound using commercial ultrasound gel or vice versa. A total of 15g of room-temperature, organic, refined coconut oil was used for each patient. The commercial ultrasound gel used for this study was room-temperature Aquasonic 100 (Parker Laboratories, Inc., Fairfield, NJ) of an unmeasured amount. The patient's abdomen was cleaned off with a towel between applications of each coupling agent. After completion of the ultrasound session, patient satisfaction with both coupling agents was assessed using a ten-question acceptability survey measured on a five-point Likert scale which was adapted from a previously validated survey.

Using a quantifiable scale developed for this study (0-25: unacceptable, 26-50: suboptimal, 51-75: acceptable, and 76-100: optimal), two experienced Maternal-Fetal Medicine physicians rated all study images on quality, resolution, and detail as defined by prior studies2. Quality was defined as an overall assessment of the image encompassing contrast of solid and fluid-filled structures. Resolution was defined as the sharpness and crispness of the image as well as a lack of haziness/blurriness. Detail was defined as the clarity of landmarks and ease with which boundaries of structures are seen and how well they are defined. Using Viewpoint (GE Healthcare), an ultrasound viewing software, the six study images for each patient were presented in the order of coupling agent each patient was randomized to first and second. Each set of three images per coupling agent was in the following order: BPD/HC, AC, and FL. The physicians rating the images were blinded to the agent used to capture each image and had no knowledge of the randomization list created by the study statisticians.

Being tested
Coconut Oil, Commercial Ultrasound Gel
Keywords
ultrasonography, coconut oil, ultrasound gel

What participants receive

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

  • Coconut OilDevice

    Coconut oil was applied to the patients' abdomen during the ultrasound to serve as a conducting medium. When applied topically, coconut oil is not absorbed systemically by the subject and will not affect the fetus. There are no studies showing a potential risk of the use of topical coconut oil in pregnancy. Subjects with a coconut allergy will be excluded from this study due to risk of allergic reaction.

  • Commercial Ultrasound GelDevice

    Room-temperature Aquasonic 100 (Parker Laboratories, Inc., Fairfield, NJ) applied to patients' abdomen during the ultrasound to serve an another conducting medium.

Study groups in NCT05653362
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Coconut Oil followed by Commercial Ultrasound GelOtherAfter the patient is consented and all questions are answered, the patient's information will be entered into a RedCap and they will be randomized to either starting the scan by first obtaining the required study images with coconut oil and then proceeding to the standard ultrasound using commercial ultrasound gel (Arm 1) or to starting with the scheduled ultrasound using the commercial ultrasound gel and ending by obtaining the required study images using coconut oil (Arm 2). Whether assigned to Arm 1 or Arm 2, prior to the collection of the study images using coconut oil, the participant will be handed a small plastic cup with a pre-measured amount of coconut oil and they will be asked to warm it in their hand for at least 2 minutes. They will then apply the coconut oil to their own abdomen with their hands prior to the ultrasound technician obtaining the required images. The ultrasound technician will collect 3 extra images for study purposes only using the coconut oil.
Receives: Device: Coconut Oil; Device: Commercial Ultrasound Gel
Commercial Ultrasound Gel followed by Coconut OilOtherAfter the patient is consented and all questions are answered, the patient's information will be entered into a RedCap and they will be randomized to either starting the scan by first obtaining the required study images with coconut oil and then proceeding to the standard ultrasound using commercial ultrasound gel (Arm 1) or to starting with the scheduled ultrasound using the commercial ultrasound gel and ending by obtaining the required study images using coconut oil (Arm 2). Whether assigned to Arm 1 or Arm 2, prior to the collection of the study images using coconut oil, the participant will be handed a small plastic cup with a pre-measured amount of coconut oil and they will be asked to warm it in their hand for at least 2 minutes. They will then apply the coconut oil to their own abdomen with their hands prior to the ultrasound technician obtaining the required images. The ultrasound technician will collect 3 extra images for study purposes only using the coconut oil.
Receives: Device: Coconut Oil; Device: Commercial Ultrasound Gel

What is being measured

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

  1. Quality of Ultrasound Images

    The quality of ultrasound images obtained using coconut oil compared with commercial ultrasound gel was assessed using a quantifiable scale developed for this study (0-25: unacceptable, 26-50: suboptimal, 51-75: acceptable, and 76-100: optimal). Using Viewpoint (GE Healthcare), an ultrasound viewing software, the six study images for each patient were presented in the order of coupling agent each patient was randomized to first and second. Each set of three images per coupling agent was in the following order: Biparietal Diameter/Head circumference (BPD/HC), abdominal circumference (AC), and femur length (FL). The physicians rating the images were blinded to the agent used to capture each image and had no knowledge of the randomization list created by the study statisticians. The image quality scores given by the two experienced Maternal-Fetal Medicine physicians were averaged to compute a single score for each image per coupling agent.

    Measured: ultrasound scanning, an average of 1 hour

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Acceptability

    Patient acceptability of coconut oil as compared to commercial ultrasound gel was assessed using a ten-question acceptability survey measured on a five-point Likert scale which was adapted from a previously validated survey. Higher scores meant a better outcome for questions 1 and 2 and a lower score meant a better outcome for questions 3, 4, and 5. The minimum value was a score of 1 and the maximum value was a score of 5.

    Measured: after ultrasound scanning, an average of 1 hour

Timeline

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

  1. First posted16 Dec 2022
  2. Study start1 Dec 2021
  3. Primary completion22 Dec 2021
  4. Study completion22 Dec 2021

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
Other
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Care provider
Enrolment
40 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05653362
Sponsor's protocol ID
12932
Status last verified
May 2023
First submitted
10 Nov 2022
Last updated
2 Jun 2023
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Agero AL, Verallo-Rowell VM. A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing extra virgin coconut oil with mineral oil as a moisturizer for mild to moderate xerosis. Dermatitis. 2004 Sep;15(3):109-16. doi: 10.2310/6620.2004.04006.

    PubMed 15724344
  • DebMandal M, Mandal S. Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.: Arecaceae): in health promotion and disease prevention. Asian Pac J Trop Med. 2011 Mar;4(3):241-7. doi: 10.1016/S1995-7645(11)60078-3. Epub 2011 Apr 12.

    PubMed 21771462
  • Kabara JJ, Swieczkowski DM, Conley AJ, Truant JP. Fatty acids and derivatives as antimicrobial agents. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1972 Jul;2(1):23-8. doi: 10.1128/AAC.2.1.23.

    PubMed 4670656
  • Esquenazi D, Wigg MD, Miranda MM, Rodrigues HM, Tostes JB, Rozental S, da Silva AJ, Alviano CS. Antimicrobial and antiviral activities of polyphenolics from Cocos nucifera Linn. (Palmae) husk fiber extract. Res Microbiol. 2002 Dec;153(10):647-52. doi: 10.1016/s0923-2508(02)01377-3.

    PubMed 12558183

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Coconut Oil and Commercial Ultrasound Gel in people with Pregnancy, High Risk, run by Indiana University at 1 site in United States.

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 3 inclusion and 3 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Jun 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. 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?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 2 Jun 2023). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

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

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Quality of Ultrasound Images (time frame: ultrasound scanning, an average of 1 hour). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05653362, which also lists 4 linked publications.

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 2 Jun 2023.

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