Trial Outcomes & Findings for Heat Shock Therapy to Improve Mitochondrial Function in Neuropathy (NCT NCT05070741)

NCT ID: NCT05070741

Last Updated: 2025-01-24

Results Overview

The study team will measure fasting blood glucose at baseline and post-intervention.

Recruitment status

TERMINATED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

3 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)

Results posted on

2025-01-24

Participant Flow

Participants were recruited for this study through flyers posted at the University of Kansas Medical Center, in the community, and electronically via websites and email. Participants were also recruited utilizing the Frontiers Research Participant Registry. Participants were offered a $25 for completing Visits 1, 2, 15 and 16; and $15 for completing Visits 3-14; after completing each of the visits ($280 total) to aid with time and transportation.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Heat Therapy Treatment
Subjects will undergo 12 hot water immersions of 40.5 degrees Celsius for approximately 45 minutes per session over 4 weeks. Subjects will be immersed up to the shoulder in a 40°C hot tub until rectal temperature (Tre) increases by 1°C (\~20 minutes). Subjects will then remain in the water bath submerged to waist level to maintain Tre between 38.5 and 39.0°C for another 30 minutes (approx. total time submerged \~50 minutes). Following hot water immersion, subjects will be monitored for another 10 min, or until Tre falls below 38.5°C. Core temperature will be monitored using either 1) a rectal probe with sterile disposable sheaths or 2) a sterile disposable rectal thermistor probe (401 A/C, Advanced Industrial Systems, Inc., Harrods Creek, KY) to be inserted \~1 inch past the anal sphincter (inserted by participant). Heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored throughout the treatment. Subjects will be continually monitored and removed from the hot bath if Tre exceeds 39.5°C.
Overall Study
STARTED
3
Overall Study
COMPLETED
2
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
1

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Heat Therapy Treatment
Subjects will undergo 12 hot water immersions of 40.5 degrees Celsius for approximately 45 minutes per session over 4 weeks. Subjects will be immersed up to the shoulder in a 40°C hot tub until rectal temperature (Tre) increases by 1°C (\~20 minutes). Subjects will then remain in the water bath submerged to waist level to maintain Tre between 38.5 and 39.0°C for another 30 minutes (approx. total time submerged \~50 minutes). Following hot water immersion, subjects will be monitored for another 10 min, or until Tre falls below 38.5°C. Core temperature will be monitored using either 1) a rectal probe with sterile disposable sheaths or 2) a sterile disposable rectal thermistor probe (401 A/C, Advanced Industrial Systems, Inc., Harrods Creek, KY) to be inserted \~1 inch past the anal sphincter (inserted by participant). Heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored throughout the treatment. Subjects will be continually monitored and removed from the hot bath if Tre exceeds 39.5°C.
Overall Study
Failed initial laboratory testing and was unable to progress to heat therapy treatment.
1

Baseline Characteristics

Heat Shock Therapy to Improve Mitochondrial Function in Neuropathy

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Heat Therapy Treatment
n=2 Participants
Subjects will undergo 12 hot water immersions of 40.5 degrees Celsius for approximately 45 minutes per session over 4 weeks. Subjects will be immersed up to the shoulder in a 40°C hot tub until rectal temperature (Tre) increases by 1°C (\~20 minutes). Subjects will then remain in the water bath submerged to waist level to maintain Tre between 38.5 and 39.0°C for another 30 minutes (approx. total time submerged \~50 minutes). Following hot water immersion, subjects will be monitored for another 10 min, or until Tre falls below 38.5°C. Core temperature will be monitored using either 1) a rectal probe with sterile disposable sheaths or 2) a sterile disposable rectal thermistor probe (401 A/C, Advanced Industrial Systems, Inc., Harrods Creek, KY) to be inserted \~1 inch past the anal sphincter (inserted by participant). Heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored throughout the treatment. Subjects will be continually monitored and removed from the hot bath if Tre exceeds 39.5°C.
Age, Continuous
66 years
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
Pre-Diabetes
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
Neuropathy
2 Participants
n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)

The study team will measure fasting blood glucose at baseline and post-intervention.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Heat Therapy Treatment
n=2 Participants
Subjects will undergo 12 hot water immersions of 40.5 degrees Celsius for approximately 45 minutes per session over 4 weeks. Subjects will be immersed up to the shoulder in a 40°C hot tub until rectal temperature (Tre) increases by 1°C (\~20 minutes). Subjects will then remain in the water bath submerged to waist level to maintain Tre between 38.5 and 39.0°C for another 30 minutes (approx. total time submerged \~50 minutes). Following hot water immersion, subjects will be monitored for another 10 min, or until Tre falls below 38.5°C. Core temperature will be monitored using either 1) a rectal probe with sterile disposable sheaths or 2) a sterile disposable rectal thermistor probe (401 A/C, Advanced Industrial Systems, Inc., Harrods Creek, KY) to be inserted \~1 inch past the anal sphincter (inserted by participant). Heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored throughout the treatment. Subjects will be continually monitored and removed from the hot bath if Tre exceeds 39.5°C.
Change in Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG)
-1 mg/dL
Interval -6.0 to 4.0

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)

The study team will measure 2-hr Glucose at baseline and post-intervention. To complete the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), the participant will drink a sweet, concentrated solution of glucose (Azer Scientific Glucola, 75 g) within 5 minutes. Afterwards, the participant will wait 2-hrs and blood will be drawn to test glucose and insulin levels.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Heat Therapy Treatment
n=2 Participants
Subjects will undergo 12 hot water immersions of 40.5 degrees Celsius for approximately 45 minutes per session over 4 weeks. Subjects will be immersed up to the shoulder in a 40°C hot tub until rectal temperature (Tre) increases by 1°C (\~20 minutes). Subjects will then remain in the water bath submerged to waist level to maintain Tre between 38.5 and 39.0°C for another 30 minutes (approx. total time submerged \~50 minutes). Following hot water immersion, subjects will be monitored for another 10 min, or until Tre falls below 38.5°C. Core temperature will be monitored using either 1) a rectal probe with sterile disposable sheaths or 2) a sterile disposable rectal thermistor probe (401 A/C, Advanced Industrial Systems, Inc., Harrods Creek, KY) to be inserted \~1 inch past the anal sphincter (inserted by participant). Heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored throughout the treatment. Subjects will be continually monitored and removed from the hot bath if Tre exceeds 39.5°C.
Change in 2-hr Glucose
23.5 mg/dL
Interval -24.0 to 71.0

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)

Population: Study was terminated early due to difficulties with study recruitment in target population. Samples collected were not analyzed, and will never be analyzed, thus no data were collected for this Outcome Measure

The study team will count intraepidermal nerve fibers at baseline and post-intervention.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)

Pressure pain sensitivity is measured by the Multimodal Automated Sensory Testing (MAST) System (measured at the thumbnail). It yields a pressure pain threshold value measured in kg/cm2.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Heat Therapy Treatment
n=2 Participants
Subjects will undergo 12 hot water immersions of 40.5 degrees Celsius for approximately 45 minutes per session over 4 weeks. Subjects will be immersed up to the shoulder in a 40°C hot tub until rectal temperature (Tre) increases by 1°C (\~20 minutes). Subjects will then remain in the water bath submerged to waist level to maintain Tre between 38.5 and 39.0°C for another 30 minutes (approx. total time submerged \~50 minutes). Following hot water immersion, subjects will be monitored for another 10 min, or until Tre falls below 38.5°C. Core temperature will be monitored using either 1) a rectal probe with sterile disposable sheaths or 2) a sterile disposable rectal thermistor probe (401 A/C, Advanced Industrial Systems, Inc., Harrods Creek, KY) to be inserted \~1 inch past the anal sphincter (inserted by participant). Heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored throughout the treatment. Subjects will be continually monitored and removed from the hot bath if Tre exceeds 39.5°C.
Change in Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) Scores
-0.01 kg/cm2

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)

Population: Study was terminated early due to difficulties with study recruitment in target population. Samples collected were not analyzed, and will never be analyzed, thus no data were collected for this Outcome Measure

Serum levels of heat shock proteins (HSP72) will be measured via Western blots and Elisa assays in serum at baseline and post-intervention.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)

Population: Study was terminated early due to difficulties with study recruitment in target population. Samples collected were not analyzed, and will never be analyzed, thus no data were collected for this Outcome Measure

Serum levels of heat shock proteins (HSP25) will be measured via Western blots and Elisa assays in serum at baseline and post-intervention.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)

Population: Study was terminated early due to difficulties with study recruitment in target population. Samples collected were not analyzed, and will never be analyzed, thus no data were collected for this Outcome Measure

Serum levels of heat shock protein transcription factor (HSF1) will be measured via Western blots and Elisa assays in serum at baseline and post-intervention.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)

The Utah Early Neuropathy Scale (UENS) is a physical examination scale specific to early sensory predominant polyneuropathy. The UENS emphasizes severity and spatial distribution of pin (sharp) sensation loss in the foot and leg and focuses less on motor weakness. The UENS includes five subscales: motor examination (4), pin sensation (24), allodynia/hyperesthesia (2), large fiber sensation(8) and deep tendon reflexes (4). The UENS total score ranges from 0-42, with a low score indicating a normal neurological exam and a higher score indicating neuropathy.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Heat Therapy Treatment
n=2 Participants
Subjects will undergo 12 hot water immersions of 40.5 degrees Celsius for approximately 45 minutes per session over 4 weeks. Subjects will be immersed up to the shoulder in a 40°C hot tub until rectal temperature (Tre) increases by 1°C (\~20 minutes). Subjects will then remain in the water bath submerged to waist level to maintain Tre between 38.5 and 39.0°C for another 30 minutes (approx. total time submerged \~50 minutes). Following hot water immersion, subjects will be monitored for another 10 min, or until Tre falls below 38.5°C. Core temperature will be monitored using either 1) a rectal probe with sterile disposable sheaths or 2) a sterile disposable rectal thermistor probe (401 A/C, Advanced Industrial Systems, Inc., Harrods Creek, KY) to be inserted \~1 inch past the anal sphincter (inserted by participant). Heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored throughout the treatment. Subjects will be continually monitored and removed from the hot bath if Tre exceeds 39.5°C.
Utah Early Neuropathy Scale (UENS)
2 score on a scale
Interval 1.0 to 3.0

Adverse Events

Heat Therapy Treatment

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

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Paige Geiger, PhD

University of Kansas Medical Center

Phone: 913-588-7408

Results disclosure agreements

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