Mechanical Intervention on the Scalp Microbiome: Setting the Stage for the Future Management of Cicatricial Alopecias

NCT ID: NCT06357169

Last Updated: 2025-02-12

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: TERMINATED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 23 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-01-13
• Study Completion Date: 2024-01-13

Brief Summary

The objective of this study is to assess the effect of standardized scalp care, specifically mechanical cleansing with the Venus Glow™ Device and water, on the scalp microbiome. This study also seeks to characterize the microbiome of the normal, healthy scalp, thereby providing a baseline for which the scalp affected by hair and scalp disease can be compared.

Detailed Description

The study will assess the effect of mechanical cleansing with the Venus GlowTM Device and water on the scalp microbiome over the course of five in-person visits, each lasting approximately 30-45 minutes. We will test if cleansing the scalp with a mechanical cleansing device changes the composition of the scalp microbiome and improves scalp health. The scalp was swabbed for DNA extraction. Subjects will avoid shampooing, chemical, or heat treatments, but will be able to wet their hair during the study. We also seek to characterize the microbiome of the normal, healthy scalp to provide a baseline for which the scalp affected by hair and scalp disease (e.g., cicatricial alopecia) can be compared.

The first visit will consist of questionnaires about demographics, participants' current hair and scalp practices, skin type, and hair type. The study staff will also swab the mid-frontal regions of the scalp on the right and left sides and take HairMetrix photography. The participant will subsequently undergo Venus GlowTM treatment #1 on the right side of the scalp only. After the treatment, the study staff will re-swab the right side of the scalp. HairMetrix photography in the two swab sites will be taken after each subsequent treatment discussed below.

Visit 2, three days after visit 1, will assess adverse effects, if applicable, from the first treatment. The right side of the scalp will be treated with the Venus GlowTM device again.

Visit 3, three days after visit 2, will also assess adverse effects, if applicable from the second treatment. The study staff will swab the mid-frontal regions of the scalp on the right and left sides. The participant will subsequently undergo Venus GlowTM treatment #3 on the right side of the scalp only. After the treatment, the study staff will re-swab the right side of the scalp.

Visit 4, three days after visit 3, will begin with the adverse effects assessment/check-in. Then, the participant will undergo Venus GlowTM treatment #4 on the right side of the scalp.

Visit 5, approximately two weeks after Visit 1, is the follow-up visit. No treatment will be performed at this last visit. An adverse effects assessment will take place, and the study staff will swab both the right and left mid-frontal regions of the scalp.

Conditions

Lichen Planopilaris of Scalp; Alopecia Areata

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: SUPPORTIVE_CARE
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Healthy-experimental

Healthy participants who have not been diagnosed with scalp or hair disease will be followed over a period of 2 weeks to assess their scalp microbiome and see how well the investigational device works on decreasing the microbe burden of the scalp.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Venus Glow

Intervention Type: DEVICE

two treatments over a one week period. At the first visit they will complete an initial questionnaire regarding current scalp care practices, skin type, and hair type. An initial baseline scalp swab and HairMetrix photography in the two swab sites will be taken at the beginning of this visit. Treatment with the Venus Glow™ device will also occur. To treat, the scalp will be divided into four quadrants. Swab samples will be collected at the first baseline and concurrent treatment session, second treatment session and 3-6 days after the last treatment when participants have returned to their usual cleansing routine.

Interventions

Venus Glow

two treatments over a one week period. At the first visit they will complete an initial questionnaire regarding current scalp care practices, skin type, and hair type. An initial baseline scalp swab and HairMetrix photography in the two swab sites will be taken at the beginning of this visit. Treatment with the Venus Glow™ device will also occur. To treat, the scalp will be divided into four quadrants. Swab samples will be collected at the first baseline and concurrent treatment session, second treatment session and 3-6 days after the last treatment when participants have returned to their usual cleansing routine.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• All individuals between 18-35 years of age
• Ability to understand study procedures and to comply with them

Exclusion Criteria

• Non-English speakers
• Exclusion related to pregnancy, lactation, or has plans to become pregnant over the course of the study, Based on self-report from the participant
• Current scalp or hair disease diagnosis
• Using oral or topical antimicrobial medication 4 weeks prior to their baseline visit or in the duration of the study
• Current clinical condition that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements
• Inability or unwillingness of individual to give written informed consent

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 35 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

University of Minnesota

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Ronda Farah, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Minnesota

Maria Hordinsky, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Minnesota

Locations

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Countries

United States

Provided Documents

Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Document Type: Informed Consent Form

View Document

Other Identifiers

Venus Glow

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id