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| Name | Class |
|---|---|
| University of Oxford | OTHER |
| Bournemouth University | OTHER |
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Spasticity is an umbrella term for impairments of muscle tone and control in people with damage to the brain and spinal cord. It is highly prevalent and results in pain, stiffness, and contribute to difficulties in activities of daily living. Current treatment options are limited, and many people experience only partial reduction in spasticity and frequent repeated treatments are needed.
Cryoneurolysis is a medical technique which involves the controlled freezing of the nerves. It has been approved in the UK for the treatment of pain in the context of spasticity through the targeting of nerves which control problematic muscles. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been offering this treatment routinely since January 2024. This pilot study aims to improve the understanding of the potential effectiveness of this treatment and its potential side effects when compared with a more commonly used treatment (Botulinum Toxin).
Participants will be randomly allocated to receive usual care with Botulinum Toxin (control group) or usual care with Cryoneurolysis (intervention group). The investigators will assess pain, goal attainment, side effects, spasticity, disability and independence in daily activities, and movement of the arm and leg. Assessments will be at baseline and then 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-weeks following treatment. Participants who are randomised to the control group will have the opportunity to receive cryoneurolysis treatment after the 12 week follow up assessment.
The results of this study will help to guide future studies to examine the effectiveness of this treatment.
Spasticity is an umbrella term for impairments of muscle activity and control in the context of damage or dysfunction in the central nervous system, occurring in up to 87% of spinal cord injury patients, 42% of stroke patients, and 80% of patients with multiple sclerosis. Spasticity results in pain, stiffness, and restrictions to activity including difficulties in personal care and mobility and a significant impact on quality of life.
Treatments including oral medications, botulinum toxin injections, and physical therapies can provide some degree of relief, but effectiveness varies widely. Many patients experience only partial reduction in spasticity, contributing to ongoing functional limitations. Botulinum toxin injections provide temporary relief necessitating frequent treatments (every 3-4 months). This is burdensome for patients and healthcare providers, with associated time and treatment costs. Pharmacological treatments can lead to systemic side effects including drowsiness, dizziness, and cognitive impairments. Surgical interventions are resource-intensive and require specialised medical facilities. Their associated costs, in terms of financial resources and healthcare infrastructure, significantly limit access for certain patients.
Cryoneurolysis, a novel medical technique, involves the controlled freezing of nerve tissue to temporarily disrupt its function. While primarily used for pain, there is a growing interest in its application for managing spasticity and it is currently approved for the treatment of pain in the context of spasticity at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust. Observational studies suggest immediate relaxation of the affected muscles, resulting in improved joint range of motion, enhanced functional mobility, and reduced pain. The investigators' own open-label proof-of-principle clinical data suggest the potential for substantial improvements in the impact of spasticity on quality of life.
This pilot randomised controlled study aims to improve the understanding of the potential clinical effectiveness and side effect profile of cryoneurolysis as a treatment for pain in the context of spasticity in people with a range of neurological conditions (e.g. acquired brain injury (ABI), spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis).
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cryoneurolysis (+ usual care) | Experimental |
| |
| Botulinum Toxin (+ usual care) | Active Comparator |
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cryoneurolysis | Procedure | Nerves that require treatment, and the number of treatments required for each nerve will be identified by routine clinical judgement. Nerve targets are identified using an ultrasound machine. The handheld Iovera cryoneurolysis device will be used for treatment. Participants will receive up to 4 treatments of cryoneurolysis for each nerve or nerve branch that requires treatment. It is anticipated that participants will have between 1 and 5 nerves or nerve branches per limb treated. Each Cryoneurolysis treatment takes 110 seconds. Total treatment time will be determined by number of nerves targeted and number of cryoneurolysis treatments per nerve. The shortest duration, with setup, is likely to be 60 minutes and the longest 120 minutes. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Goal Attainment Scale | An individualised outcome measure involving goal selection and goal scaling that is standardised in order to calculate the extent to which a patient's goals are met. GAS comprises of goals divided into a 5-point scale of level of expected outcome: from -2 (much less than expected) to +2 (much more than expected). | 6-weeks post-treatment |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Self-reported Pain | Self-report, as measured by a numerical rating scale (range 0 - 10, higher scores indicating higher pain levels). | 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks post-treatment |
| Douleur Neuropathique en 4 (DN4) |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Feedback Questionnaire/Interview | Qualitative feedback using either a semi-structured interview or a self-reported questionnaire (using the same questions as interview schedule), as per preference of participant, used to explore the satisfaction, experience, and anticipated barriers/facilitators to clinical implementation for the treatments. | 24 weeks post treatment |
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anton Pick, MBChB | Contact | (+44) 01865 737306 | anton.pick@ouh.nhs.uk | |
| Barbara Robinson, MSc | Contact | barbara.robinson@ndcn.ox.ac.uk |
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| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford Centre for Enablement (OUH NHS-FT) | Recruiting | Oxford | OX3 7HE | United Kingdom |
| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23319481 | Background | Wissel J, Manack A, Brainin M. Toward an epidemiology of poststroke spasticity. Neurology. 2013 Jan 15;80(3 Suppl 2):S13-9. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182762448. | |
| 33543059 | Background | Winston P, Mills PB, Reebye R, Vincent D. Cryoneurotomy as a Percutaneous Mini-invasive Therapy for the Treatment of the Spastic Limb: Case Presentation, Review of the Literature, and Proposed Approach for Use. Arch Rehabil Res Clin Transl. 2019 Oct 17;1(3-4):100030. doi: 10.1016/j.arrct.2019.100030. eCollection 2019 Dec. |
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De-identified data are available upon reasonable request.
Following publication of results
Available upon reasonable request
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Participants randomised to control will be given the opportunity (but are not required) to crossover to the intervention arm at 12-weeks post-treatment. The intervention arm will not crossover to control arm.
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| Botulinum toxin | Procedure | Muscles that require treatment with Botulinum Toxin will be identified by routine clinical assessment. Muscle targets will be identified using an ultrasound machine. It is anticipated that participants will have between 2 and 8 muscles identified for target. The participant will receive up to 200 units of Xeomin (Botulinum Toxin) per muscle that requires treatment. Treatment session of Botulinum Toxin will take 60 to 90 minutes. |
|
Questionnaire used to determine whether pain is neuropathic in origin (range 0 - 10; a score of 4 or more suggests the presence of neuropathic pain).
| 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks post-treatment |
| Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI) | Questionnaire used to quantify neuropathic pain (range 0 - 100, higher scores reflect worse neuropathic pain). | 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks post-treatment |
| Side Effects | As measured by self-report side effects questionnaire | 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks post-treatment |
| Goal Attainment Scale | An individualised outcome measure involving goal selection and goal scaling that is standardised in order to calculate the extent to which a patient's goals are met. GAS comprises of goals divided into a 5-point scale of level of expected outcome: from -2 (much less than expected) to +2 (much more than expected). | 12-weeks post treatment |
| Modified Ashworth Scale | Assessment which requires the researcher to passively move the person's affected limb(s) and assess their resistance to movement (score range 0 - 4, higher score indicating increased in tone). | 6- and 12-weeks post treatment |
| Modified Tardieu Scale | Assessment which requires the researcher to passively move the person's affected limb(s) and assess their resistance to movement (score range 0 - 4, higher score indicating increased resistance). | 6- and 12-weeks post treatment |
| Spasticity | Directly assessed by measuring the muscle activity to a passive stretch | 6- and 12-weeks post treatment |
| Range of Motion | Assessed using a goniometer | 6- and 12-weeks post treatment |
| Patient Reported Impact of Spasticity Measure (PRISM) | Questionnaire assessing spasticity related quality of life (41 items that describe impacts of spasticity, each of which is rated on a scale of 0-4 from "never true for me" to "very often true for me"). | 6- and 12-weeks post treatment |
| EQ5D | Questionnaire assessing quality of life across 5 dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. Each dimension has 5 levels which are scored 1 - 5, with higher scores indicating worse outcome. | 6- and 12-weeks post treatment |
| Spasticity Related Quality of Life instrument (SQoL-6D) | Questionnaire assessing spasticity related quality of life (range 0 - 24, higher score indicating worse condition) | 6- and 12-weeks post treatment |
| Barthel Index | Scale measuring a person's ability to complete activities of daily living (range 0 - 100, higher scores indicating more independence) | 6- and 12-weeks post treatment |
| Gait assessment - Walking Speed | Kinematic assessment of lower extremity function, using EMG and motion capture cameras. Walking speed is measured in meters per second (m/s), with slower speed indicating worse outcome. | 6- and 12-weeks post treatment |
| Gait assessment - Gait profile score | Kinematic assessment of lower extremity function using EMG and motion capture cameras. The gait profile score is measured in degrees, with higher scores indicating more abnormality, and no maximum score. | 6- and 12-weeks post treatment |
| Leg Activity Measure (LEG-A) | Questionnaire assessing lower extremity function (3 sections: Section A range: 0-36; Section B range 0-60; Section C range 0 - 36. Higher score indicates more difficulty/severity.) | 6- and 12-weeks post treatment |
| Shriners Hospital Upper Extremity Evaluation (SHUEE) | Kinematic assessment of upper extremity function using motion capture cameras. | 6- and 12-weeks post treatment |
| Arm Activity Measure (ARM-A) | Questionnaire assessing upper extremity function (2 sections: Section A range: 0-32; Section B range 0-52. Higher score indicates more difficulty.) | 6- and 12-weeks post treatment |
| Functional Assessment Test for Upper Limb (FAST-UL) | Assessment of upper extremity function (selected movements assessed and scored between 0 - 3, with higher scores indicating ability to complete movement more fully). | 6- and 12-weeks post treatment |
| Pressure Pain Thresholds (PPT) | Sensory testing using a manual algometer to assess pain thresholds. | 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks post-treatment |
| Sleep Condition Indicator | Questionnaire assessing self-reported insomnia symptoms (range 0-32, higher numbers indicate less symptoms of insomnia) | 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks post-treatment |
| Goal Attainment Scale | An individualised outcome measure involving goal selection and goal scaling that is standardised in order to calculate the extent to which a patient's goals are met. GAS comprises of goals divided into a 5-point scale of level of expected outcome: from -2 (much less than expected) to +2 (much more than expected). | 18- and 24-weeks post-treatment |
| Modified Ashworth Scale | Assessment which requires the researcher to passively move the person's affected limb(s) and assess their resistance to movement (score range 0 - 4, higher score indicating increased in tone). | 18- and 24-weeks post-treatment |
| Modified Tardieu Scale | Assessment which requires the researcher to passively move the person's affected limb(s) and assess their resistance to movement (score range 0 - 4, higher score indicating increased resistance). | 18- and 24-weeks post-treatment |
| Spasticity | Directly assessed by measuring the muscle activity to a passive stretch | 18- and 24-weeks post-treatment |
| Range of motion | Assessed using a goniometer | 18- and 24-weeks post-treatment |
| Patient Reported Impact of Spasticity Measure (PRISM) | Questionnaire assessing spasticity related quality of life (41 items that describe impacts of spasticity, each of which is rated on a scale of 0-4 from "never true for me" to "very often true for me") | 18- and 24-weeks post-treatment |
| EQ5D | Questionnaire assessing quality of life across 5 dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. Each dimension has 5 levels which are scored 1 - 5, with higher scores indicating worse outcome. | 18- and 24-weeks post-treatment |
| Spasticity Related Quality of Life instrument (SQoL-6D) | Questionnaire assessing spasticity related quality of life (range 0 - 24, higher score indicating worse condition) | 18- and 24-weeks post-treatment |
| Barthel Index | Scale measuring a person's ability to complete activities of daily living (range 0 - 100, higher scores indicating more independence) | 18- and 24-weeks post-treatment |
| Leg Activity Measure (LEG-A) | Questionnaire assessing lower extremity function (3 sections: Section A range: 0-36; Section B range 0-60; Section C range 0 - 36. Higher score indicates more difficulty/severity.) | 18- and 24-weeks post-treatment |
| Arm Activity Measure (ARM-A) | Questionnaire assessing upper extremity function (2 sections: Section A range: 0-32; Section B range 0-52. Higher score indicates more difficulty.) | 18- and 24-weeks post-treatment |
| 26092476 | Background | Whitehead AL, Julious SA, Cooper CL, Campbell MJ. Estimating the sample size for a pilot randomised trial to minimise the overall trial sample size for the external pilot and main trial for a continuous outcome variable. Stat Methods Med Res. 2016 Jun;25(3):1057-73. doi: 10.1177/0962280215588241. Epub 2015 Jun 19. |
| 33616192 | Background | Turner-Stokes L, Jacinto J, Fheodoroff K, Brashear A, Maisonobe P, Lysandropoulos A, Ashford S; Upper Limb International Spasticity (ULIS-III) study group. Longitudinal goal attainment with integrated upper limb spasticity management including repeat injections of botulinum toxin A: Findings from the prospective, observational Upper Limb International Spasticity (ULIS-III) cohort study. J Rehabil Med. 2021 Feb 24;53(2):jrm00157. doi: 10.2340/16501977-2801. |
| 33884141 | Background | Skoog B, Jakobsson KE. Prevalence of Spasticity and Below-Level Neuropathic Pain Related to Spinal Cord Injury Level and Damage to the Lower Spinal Segments. J Rehabil Med Clin Commun. 2020 Mar 8;3:1000039. doi: 10.2340/20030711-1000039. eCollection 2020. |
| 15471378 | Background | Rizzo MA, Hadjimichael OC, Preiningerova J, Vollmer TL. Prevalence and treatment of spasticity reported by multiple sclerosis patients. Mult Scler. 2004 Oct;10(5):589-95. doi: 10.1191/1352458504ms1085oa. |
| 9710418 | Background | Kim PS, Ferrante FM. Cryoanalgesia: a novel treatment for hip adductor spasticity and obturator neuralgia. Anesthesiology. 1998 Aug;89(2):534-6. doi: 10.1097/00000542-199808000-00036. No abstract available. |
| 36370129 | Background | Biel E, Aroke EN, Maye J, Zhang SJ. The applications of cryoneurolysis for acute and chronic pain management. Pain Pract. 2023 Feb;23(2):204-215. doi: 10.1111/papr.13182. Epub 2022 Dec 4. |
| 25276432 | Background | Bhimani R, Anderson L. Clinical understanding of spasticity: implications for practice. Rehabil Res Pract. 2014;2014:279175. doi: 10.1155/2014/279175. Epub 2014 Sep 4. |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D001930 | Brain Injuries |
| D009103 | Multiple Sclerosis |
| D013119 | Spinal Cord Injuries |
| D009128 | Muscle Spasticity |
| D010146 | Pain |
| D020521 | Stroke |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D001927 | Brain Diseases |
| D002493 | Central Nervous System Diseases |
| D009422 | Nervous System Diseases |
| D006259 | Craniocerebral Trauma |
| D020196 | Trauma, Nervous System |
| D014947 | Wounds and Injuries |
| D020278 | Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS |
| D020274 | Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System |
| D003711 | Demyelinating Diseases |
| D001327 | Autoimmune Diseases |
| D007154 | Immune System Diseases |
| D013118 | Spinal Cord Diseases |
| D009135 | Muscular Diseases |
| D009140 | Musculoskeletal Diseases |
| D009122 | Muscle Hypertonia |
| D020879 | Neuromuscular Manifestations |
| D009461 | Neurologic Manifestations |
| D012816 | Signs and Symptoms |
| D013568 | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms |
| D002561 | Cerebrovascular Disorders |
| D014652 | Vascular Diseases |
| D002318 | Cardiovascular Diseases |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D001905 | Botulinum Toxins |
| D019274 | Botulinum Toxins, Type A |
| C545476 | incobotulinumtoxinA |
| D009407 | Nerve Block |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D008666 | Metalloendopeptidases |
| D010450 | Endopeptidases |
| D010447 | Peptide Hydrolases |
| D006867 | Hydrolases |
| D004798 | Enzymes |
| D045762 | Enzymes and Coenzymes |
| D045726 | Metalloproteases |
| D001426 | Bacterial Proteins |
| D011506 | Proteins |
| D000602 | Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins |
| D001427 | Bacterial Toxins |
| D014118 | Toxins, Biological |
| D001685 | Biological Factors |
| D000765 | Anesthesia, Conduction |
| D000758 | Anesthesia |
| D000760 | Anesthesia and Analgesia |
| D003714 | Denervation |
| D019635 | Neurosurgical Procedures |
| D013514 | Surgical Procedures, Operative |
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