Trial Outcomes & Findings for Surface Stimulation for Female Sexual Dysfunction (NCT NCT02692417)

NCT ID: NCT02692417

Last Updated: 2019-04-09

Results Overview

Sexual function was measured by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), which is a validated, 19-item questionnaire evaluating sexual functioning in women. A clinical cutoff score of 26.55 differentiates women with and without sexual dysfunction, with below a 26.55 indicating sexual dysfunction. The minimum score one can receive is 2, and the maximum score is 36. Higher scores indicate better sexual functioning. The total FSFI score is the sum of the six subcategories (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain) which each have a maximum score of 6. Each subcategory has questions scored either 0-5 (arousal, lubrication, orgasm, pain) or 1-5 (desire, satisfaction). The sum for each subcategory is multiplied by a factor of either 0.3 (arousal, lubrication), 0.4 (orgasm, satisfaction, pain) or 0.6 (desire). The minimum score for desire is 1.2 and for satisfaction is 0.8, the rest are 0. Only the results from the 9 subjects who completed the study were analyzed.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

16 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

6 weeks after beginning of treatment

Results posted on

2019-04-09

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation Group
Subjects in this group will have transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation electrodes placed on the skin surface over their posterior tibial nerve, that is in the area of the ankle, and receive stimulation for 30 minutes in weekly sessions for 12 weeks. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: Both arms will receive stimulation from the same TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit with identical stimulation frequency, but potentially different amplitudes depending on the subject's stimulation threshold.
Dorsal Genital Nerve Stimulation Group
Subjects in this group will have transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation electrodes placed on the skin surface over the dorsal genital nerve, that is above and/or on the lateral side of the clitoris, and receive stimulation for 30 minutes in weekly sessions for 12 weeks. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: Both arms will receive stimulation from the same TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit with identical stimulation frequency, but potentially different amplitudes depending on the subject's stimulation threshold.
Overall Study
STARTED
9
7
Overall Study
COMPLETED
3
6
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
6
1

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation Group
Subjects in this group will have transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation electrodes placed on the skin surface over their posterior tibial nerve, that is in the area of the ankle, and receive stimulation for 30 minutes in weekly sessions for 12 weeks. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: Both arms will receive stimulation from the same TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit with identical stimulation frequency, but potentially different amplitudes depending on the subject's stimulation threshold.
Dorsal Genital Nerve Stimulation Group
Subjects in this group will have transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation electrodes placed on the skin surface over the dorsal genital nerve, that is above and/or on the lateral side of the clitoris, and receive stimulation for 30 minutes in weekly sessions for 12 weeks. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: Both arms will receive stimulation from the same TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit with identical stimulation frequency, but potentially different amplitudes depending on the subject's stimulation threshold.
Overall Study
Withdrawal by Subject
5
1
Overall Study
Adverse Event
1
0

Baseline Characteristics

Surface Stimulation for Female Sexual Dysfunction

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation Group
n=8 Participants
Subjects in this group will have transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation electrodes placed on the skin surface over their posterior tibial nerve, that is in the area of the ankle, and receive stimulation for 30 minutes in weekly sessions for 12 weeks. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: Both arms will receive stimulation from the same TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit with identical stimulation frequency, but potentially different amplitudes depending on the subject's stimulation threshold.
Dorsal Genital Nerve Stimulation Group
n=7 Participants
Subjects in this group will have transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation electrodes placed on the skin surface over the dorsal genital nerve, that is above and/or on the lateral side of the clitoris, and receive stimulation for 30 minutes in weekly sessions for 12 weeks. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: Both arms will receive stimulation from the same TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit with identical stimulation frequency, but potentially different amplitudes depending on the subject's stimulation threshold.
Total
n=15 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
36.0 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.3 • n=5 Participants
46.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.8 • n=7 Participants
40.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.0 • n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
8 Participants
n=5 Participants
7 Participants
n=7 Participants
15 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
White
4 Participants
n=5 Participants
6 Participants
n=7 Participants
10 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Black
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Asian or Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=7 Participants
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Other
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
BMI
27.1 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.5 • n=5 Participants
26.5 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.5 • n=7 Participants
26.8 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.4 • n=5 Participants
Relationship Status
Single
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=7 Participants
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
Relationship Status
Nonmarried relationship
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=7 Participants
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
Relationship Status
Married
5 Participants
n=5 Participants
5 Participants
n=7 Participants
10 Participants
n=5 Participants
On prescription antidepressant
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
3 Participants
n=7 Participants
6 Participants
n=5 Participants
Baseline FSFI
18.4 score on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.1 • n=5 Participants
16.0 score on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.3 • n=7 Participants
17.3 score on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.2 • n=5 Participants
Baseline SF-36
78.8 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.3 • n=5 Participants
87.4 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.2 • n=7 Participants
82.8 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.0 • n=5 Participants
Baseline AUASI
8.6 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.4 • n=5 Participants
4.6 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.6 • n=7 Participants
6.7 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.3 • n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 6 weeks after beginning of treatment

Sexual function was measured by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), which is a validated, 19-item questionnaire evaluating sexual functioning in women. A clinical cutoff score of 26.55 differentiates women with and without sexual dysfunction, with below a 26.55 indicating sexual dysfunction. The minimum score one can receive is 2, and the maximum score is 36. Higher scores indicate better sexual functioning. The total FSFI score is the sum of the six subcategories (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain) which each have a maximum score of 6. Each subcategory has questions scored either 0-5 (arousal, lubrication, orgasm, pain) or 1-5 (desire, satisfaction). The sum for each subcategory is multiplied by a factor of either 0.3 (arousal, lubrication), 0.4 (orgasm, satisfaction, pain) or 0.6 (desire). The minimum score for desire is 1.2 and for satisfaction is 0.8, the rest are 0. Only the results from the 9 subjects who completed the study were analyzed.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation Group
n=3 Participants
Subjects in this group will have transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation electrodes placed on the skin surface over their posterior tibial nerve, that is in the area of the ankle, and receive stimulation for 30 minutes in weekly sessions for 12 weeks. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: Both arms will receive stimulation from the same TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit with identical stimulation frequency, but potentially different amplitudes depending on the subject's stimulation threshold.
Dorsal Genital Nerve Stimulation Group
n=6 Participants
Subjects in this group will have transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation electrodes placed on the skin surface over the dorsal genital nerve, that is above and/or on the lateral side of the clitoris, and receive stimulation for 30 minutes in weekly sessions for 12 weeks. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: Both arms will receive stimulation from the same TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit with identical stimulation frequency, but potentially different amplitudes depending on the subject's stimulation threshold.
6 Weeks - Total FSFI Score
26.0 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 7.8
17.4 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.6

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks after beginning of treatment

Sexual function was measured by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), which is a validated, 19-item questionnaire evaluating sexual functioning in women. A clinical cutoff score of 26.55 differentiates women with and without sexual dysfunction, with below a 26.55 indicating sexual dysfunction. The minimum score one can receive is 2, and the maximum score is 36. Higher scores indicate better sexual functioning. The total FSFI score is the sum of the six subcategories (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain) which each have a maximum score of 6. Each subcategory has questions scored either 0-5 (arousal, lubrication, orgasm, pain) or 1-5 (desire, satisfaction). The sum for each subcategory is multiplied by a factor of either 0.3 (arousal, lubrication), 0.4 (orgasm, satisfaction, pain) or 0.6 (desire). The minimum score for desire is 1.2 and for satisfaction is 0.8, the rest are 0. Only the results from the 9 subjects who completed the study were analyzed.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation Group
n=3 Participants
Subjects in this group will have transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation electrodes placed on the skin surface over their posterior tibial nerve, that is in the area of the ankle, and receive stimulation for 30 minutes in weekly sessions for 12 weeks. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: Both arms will receive stimulation from the same TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit with identical stimulation frequency, but potentially different amplitudes depending on the subject's stimulation threshold.
Dorsal Genital Nerve Stimulation Group
n=6 Participants
Subjects in this group will have transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation electrodes placed on the skin surface over the dorsal genital nerve, that is above and/or on the lateral side of the clitoris, and receive stimulation for 30 minutes in weekly sessions for 12 weeks. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: Both arms will receive stimulation from the same TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit with identical stimulation frequency, but potentially different amplitudes depending on the subject's stimulation threshold.
12 Weeks - Total FSFI Score
27.8 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.8
18.7 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.9

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 18 weeks after start of treatment

Sexual function was measured by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), which is a validated, 19-item questionnaire evaluating sexual functioning in women. A clinical cutoff score of 26.55 differentiates women with and without sexual dysfunction, with below a 26.55 indicating sexual dysfunction. The minimum score one can receive is 2, and the maximum score is 36. Higher scores indicate better sexual functioning. The total FSFI score is the sum of the six subcategories (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain) which each have a maximum score of 6. Each subcategory has questions scored either 0-5 (arousal, lubrication, orgasm, pain) or 1-5 (desire, satisfaction). The sum for each subcategory is multiplied by a factor of either 0.3 (arousal, lubrication), 0.4 (orgasm, satisfaction, pain) or 0.6 (desire). The minimum score for desire is 1.2 and for satisfaction is 0.8, the rest are 0. Only the results from the 9 subjects who completed the study were analyzed.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation Group
n=3 Participants
Subjects in this group will have transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation electrodes placed on the skin surface over their posterior tibial nerve, that is in the area of the ankle, and receive stimulation for 30 minutes in weekly sessions for 12 weeks. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: Both arms will receive stimulation from the same TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit with identical stimulation frequency, but potentially different amplitudes depending on the subject's stimulation threshold.
Dorsal Genital Nerve Stimulation Group
n=6 Participants
Subjects in this group will have transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation electrodes placed on the skin surface over the dorsal genital nerve, that is above and/or on the lateral side of the clitoris, and receive stimulation for 30 minutes in weekly sessions for 12 weeks. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: Both arms will receive stimulation from the same TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit with identical stimulation frequency, but potentially different amplitudes depending on the subject's stimulation threshold.
18 Weeks - Total FSFI Score
26.2 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 8.6
18.8 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.4

Adverse Events

Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation Group

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 1 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Dorsal Genital Nerve Stimulation Group

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

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation Group
n=9 participants at risk
Subjects in this group will have transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation electrodes placed on the skin surface over their posterior tibial nerve, that is in the area of the ankle, and receive stimulation for 30 minutes in weekly sessions for 12 weeks. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: Both arms will receive stimulation from the same TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit with identical stimulation frequency, but potentially different amplitudes depending on the subject's stimulation threshold.
Dorsal Genital Nerve Stimulation Group
n=7 participants at risk
Subjects in this group will have transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation electrodes placed on the skin surface over the dorsal genital nerve, that is above and/or on the lateral side of the clitoris, and receive stimulation for 30 minutes in weekly sessions for 12 weeks. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: Both arms will receive stimulation from the same TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit with identical stimulation frequency, but potentially different amplitudes depending on the subject's stimulation threshold.
Nervous system disorders
Sciatic Nerve Pain
11.1%
1/9 • Number of events 1 • Adverse event data was collected until the final survey (18 weeks after start of stimulation) was collected.
0.00%
0/7 • Adverse event data was collected until the final survey (18 weeks after start of stimulation) was collected.

Additional Information

Dr. Tim Bruns

University of Michigan

Phone: (734) 647-8727

Results disclosure agreements

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