Trial Outcomes & Findings for Effects of Low Dose Naltrexone in Fibromyalgia (NCT NCT00568555)

NCT ID: NCT00568555

Last Updated: 2015-10-21

Results Overview

Visual Analogue Scale for pain, 0 to 100, where 0=no pain and 100=worst pain imaginable. Baseline pain calculated averaging daily pain scores over the 2 week baseline period. Placebo and LDN pain scores calculated by averaging daily pain scores during the final 3 days of each condition. Values were converted to percent change in pain: \[(baseline pain - end point pain)/baseline pain\] x 100.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

53 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Baseline to end of placebo (2 weeks + 4 weeks) and baseline to end of LDN (2 weeks + 12 weeks)

Results posted on

2015-10-21

Participant Flow

325 women completed an online web survey

Individuals were assessed for eligibility via web screening and phone screening prior to enrollment. Further eligibility (blood tests, questionnaires) assessed after enrollment; ineligible consented participants were withdrawn prior to assignment to groups.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Low Dose Naltrexone First
Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) followed by placebo. LDN at 3-4.5mg, once a day. Placebo (sugar pill) once a day.
Placebo - Sugar Pill First
Placebo first, followed by LDN. Placebo (sugar pill) once a day. LDN at 3-4.5mg, once a day.
Overall Study
STARTED
16
15
Overall Study
COMPLETED
15
14
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
1
1

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Low Dose Naltrexone First
Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) followed by placebo. LDN at 3-4.5mg, once a day. Placebo (sugar pill) once a day.
Placebo - Sugar Pill First
Placebo first, followed by LDN. Placebo (sugar pill) once a day. LDN at 3-4.5mg, once a day.
Overall Study
Withdrawal by Subject
1
1

Baseline Characteristics

Effects of Low Dose Naltrexone in Fibromyalgia

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Low Dose Naltrexone
n=14 Participants
Placebo - Sugar Pill
n=14 Participants
Total
n=28 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=93 Participants
0 Participants
n=4 Participants
0 Participants
n=27 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
14 Participants
n=93 Participants
14 Participants
n=4 Participants
28 Participants
n=27 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants
n=93 Participants
0 Participants
n=4 Participants
0 Participants
n=27 Participants
Age, Continuous
43.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.4 • n=93 Participants
42.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.0 • n=4 Participants
42.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.9 • n=27 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
14 Participants
n=93 Participants
14 Participants
n=4 Participants
28 Participants
n=27 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants
n=93 Participants
0 Participants
n=4 Participants
0 Participants
n=27 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
14 participants
n=93 Participants
14 participants
n=4 Participants
28 participants
n=27 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to end of placebo (2 weeks + 4 weeks) and baseline to end of LDN (2 weeks + 12 weeks)

Population: All completers

Visual Analogue Scale for pain, 0 to 100, where 0=no pain and 100=worst pain imaginable. Baseline pain calculated averaging daily pain scores over the 2 week baseline period. Placebo and LDN pain scores calculated by averaging daily pain scores during the final 3 days of each condition. Values were converted to percent change in pain: \[(baseline pain - end point pain)/baseline pain\] x 100.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Low Dose Naltrexone
n=28 Participants
All participants during the Low Dose Naltrexone condition
Placebo - Sugar Pill
n=28 Participants
All participants during the placebo condition
Percent Change in Pain Scores Between Baseline to End of Placebo Treatment and Between Baseline to End of LDN Treatment.
28.8 percentage change from baseline to final
Interval 19.5 to 38.1
18.0 percentage change from baseline to final
Interval 7.2 to 28.8

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to end of placebo (2 weeks + 4 weeks) and baseline to end of LDN (2 weeks + 12 weeks)

Population: All completers

Visual Analogue Scale for sleep quality, 0 to 100, where 0 = "did not sleep well at all" and 100 = "slept extremely well". Baseline sleep quality calculated by averaging daily scores over the 2 week baseline period. Placebo and LDN sleep quality scores calculated by averaging daily scores during the final 3 days of each condition. Values were converted to percent change in sleep quality: \[(baseline sleep - end point sleep)/baseline sleep\] x 100.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Low Dose Naltrexone
n=28 Participants
All participants during the Low Dose Naltrexone condition
Placebo - Sugar Pill
n=28 Participants
All participants during the placebo condition
Percent Change in Sleep Quality Scores Between Baseline to End of Placebo Treatment and Between Baseline to End of LDN Treatment.
10.4 percentage change from baseline
Interval -35.8 to 56.6
9.2 percentage change from baseline
Interval -40.6 to 59.0

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to end of placebo (2 weeks + 4 weeks) and baseline to end of LDN (2 weeks + 12 weeks)

Population: All completers

Visual Analogue Scale for fatigue, 0 to 100, where 0 = "no fatigue at all" and 100 = "severe fatigue". Baseline fatigue calculated averaging daily scores over the 2 week baseline period. Placebo and LDN fatigue scores calculated by averaging daily scores during the final 3 days of each condition. Values were converted to percent change in fatigue: \[(baseline fatigue - end point fatigue)/baseline fatigue\] x 100.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Low Dose Naltrexone
n=28 Participants
All participants during the Low Dose Naltrexone condition
Placebo - Sugar Pill
n=28 Participants
All participants during the placebo condition
Percent Change in Fatigue Scores Between Baseline to End of Placebo Treatment and Between Baseline to End of LDN Treatment.
12.6 percentage change from baseline
Interval -33.2 to 58.4
7.8 percentage change from baseline
Interval -26.6 to 42.2

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to end of placebo (2 weeks + 4 weeks) and baseline to end of LDN (2 weeks + 12 weeks)

Population: All completers

An algometer is used to apply pressure to 18 points across the body. Pressure is applied until the first sensation of pain in indicated. This pressure is recorded (as kg/cm2) and averaged for all 18 points to provide an overall score.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Low Dose Naltrexone
n=28 Participants
All participants during the Low Dose Naltrexone condition
Placebo - Sugar Pill
n=28 Participants
All participants during the placebo condition
Percent Change in Pressure Pain Threshold Between Baseline and End of Placebo Treatment and Between Baseline to End of LDN Treatment.
36.70 percentage change from baseline to final
Interval 17.41 to 56.0
28.26 percentage change from baseline to final
Interval 11.27 to 45.24

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to end of placebo (2 weeks + 4 weeks) and baseline to end of LDN (2 weeks + 12 weeks)

Population: All completers

A thermode is placed on the palm, and temperature is increased until the first sensation of pain. That temperature is recorded in Degrees Celsius . The procedure is repeated 3 times and results are averaged into a single temperature recording.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Low Dose Naltrexone
n=28 Participants
All participants during the Low Dose Naltrexone condition
Placebo - Sugar Pill
n=28 Participants
All participants during the placebo condition
Percent Change in Heat Pain Sensitivity Between Baseline and End of Placebo Treatment and Between Baseline to End of LDN Treatment.
3.12 percentage change from baseline to final
Interval 0.4 to 5.83
3.45 percentage change from baseline to final
Interval 0.93 to 5.98

Adverse Events

Low Dose Naltrexone

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 20 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Placebo - Sugar Pill

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 7 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Low Dose Naltrexone
n=28 participants at risk
All participants during the Low Dose Naltrexone condition
Placebo - Sugar Pill
n=28 participants at risk
All participants during the placebo condition
General disorders
Vivid Dreams
35.7%
10/28
14.3%
4/28
General disorders
Headache
14.3%
4/28
3.6%
1/28
General disorders
Nausea/Upset Stomach
14.3%
4/28
7.1%
2/28
General disorders
Nightmares
10.7%
3/28
3.6%
1/28
General disorders
Insomnia
14.3%
4/28
10.7%
3/28
General disorders
Dry mouth or throat
10.7%
3/28
3.6%
1/28

Additional Information

Jarred Younger, PhD

Stanford University School of Medicine

Phone: 650-724-2795

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place