LymphedemaACENCT01239160
Two Pneumatic Compression Devices in the Treatment of Lower Extremity Lymphedema
A study testing Flexitouch System and Hydroven FPR in people with Lymphedema, run by Tactile Medical at 22 sites in 3 countries.
Trial summary
The treatment of lymphedema has been a major focus of attention for physicians and scientists for several decades. At this time, no successful techniques have been developed to prevent lymphedema, and therefore, a great deal of emphasis is placed on treatment modalities that can lessen the severity and impede the… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Lymphedema
- What is being tested?
- Flexitouch System and Hydroven FPR
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 238 participants
- Where
- 22 sitesin 3 countries
- Study dates
- 2 Nov 2010to 27 Jun 2012
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Subjects must be ≥ 18 years old or legal age in host country.
- Subjects must have a diagnosis of primary or secondary late Stage 2 or 3 unilateral or bilateral lower extremity lymphoedema.
- At time of initial evaluation, individuals must be at least 3 months post-surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment for cancer if applicable.
- If subjects were treated in a clinic setting for lymphoedema (Phase 1 treatment) they must be at least 3 months post completion of their acute care.
Who cannot join
- Diagnosis of active or recurrent cancer, or less than 3 months at the time of initial evaluation from the completion of chemotherapy, radiation therapy or primary surgery for the treatment of cancer.
- Diagnosis of acute infection. The source of the infection must be treated for 2 weeks prior to admittance into the study.
- Diagnosis of acute thrombophlebitis (in last 2 months)
- Diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease (PAD): PAD is defined as an Ankle Brachial Index (ABI), of 0.7 or lower.
- Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis within the previous 6 months
- Diagnosis of pulmonary edema
Show all 13Show fewer
- Diagnosis of congestive heart failure (uncontrolled)
- Diagnosis of chronic kidney disease with a Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) of less than 30 mls per minute.
- Patients with poorly controlled asthma (i.e. those with severe persistent symptoms throughout the day, night time awakenings several times per week, use of a beta2 agonist inhaler several times per day and those whose normal activity is extremely limited).
- Pregnancy
- Any condition where increased venous and lymphatic return is undesirable
- Inability or unwillingness to participate in all aspects of study protocol and/or inability to provide informed consent
- Currently participating in another clinical trial
Trial locations and contacts
22 sites in 3 countries.
22 sites in 3 countries
United Kingdom11 sites
Royal Derby Hospital
Derby, DE22 3NE
University of Glasgow
Glasgow, Scotland, G12 8LL
St Oswalds Hospice
Gosforth, NE25 8SU
Kendal Lymphology Centre
Kendal, LA9 4BD
LOROS Hospice
Leicester, Leics, LE3 9QE
King's Mill Hospital
Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Norfolk and Norwich University
Norwich
Queens Medical Center
Nottingham
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University
Swansea, West Glamorgan
Lymphoedema Clinic, Singleton Hospital
Swansea, SA2 8QA
St Giles Hospice
Whittington, WS14 9LH
United States10 sites
Carolinas Rehabilitation
Charlotte, North Carolina, 28203
Northwestern University
Chicago, Illinois, 60611
Fletcher Allen Health Care, Inc., University of Vermont
Colchester, Vermont, 05446
University of Missouri-Columbia,Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, Lymphedema Therapy Clinic
Columbia, Missouri, 65203
Ohio State University Medical Center
Columbus, Ohio, 43210
Greenville Hospital Systems
Greenville, South Carolina, 29615
Hope Research Institute
Phoenix, Arizona, 85050
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213
Prairie Education & Research Cooperative
Springfield, Illinois, 62701
Stony Brook University Medical Center
Stony Brook, New York, 11794-8191
About this study
Official title: At Home Evaluation of Two Pneumatic Compression Devices in the Treatment of Lower Extremity Lymphoedema(ACE: At Home Compression Evaluation)
The treatment of lymphedema has been a major focus of attention for physicians and scientists for several decades. At this time, no successful techniques have been developed to prevent lymphedema, and therefore, a great deal of emphasis is placed on treatment modalities that can lessen the severity and impede the progression of this debilitating condition.
The treatment on offer usually consists of a maintenance phase using compression garments and an intensive treatment phase, which includes the use of skin care, compression bandaging, exercise and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD). The intensive phase is usually described as complex decongestive therapy (CDT). This is time consuming and requires high resource usage. Pneumatic compression devices (PCD) offer and alternative to MLD and can be used by the patient. There are a number of devices on the market that are categorized into 1. without calibrated gradient compression 2. With calibrated gradient compression.
This trial will compare two PCDs, a simple device without calibrated compression, and an advanced device with calibrated compression, in the reduction of swelling and maintenance of reduced limb volume in 262 patients with lower limb lymphoedema. The primary end point will be limb volume reduction over 12 weeks of treatment, with secondary outcome after 24 weeks.
Read the detailed description
This is a Multicentre, prospective, single (assessor) blind randomised study. The primary objective of the study is to assess volume reduction in the treatment of lymphoedematous legs with an advanced PCD compared to a simple PCD in patients with lower limb lymphoedema. The main outcome is the percentage volume reduction of the affected limb at end of treatment compared to baseline.
Secondary objectives of the study are Assessment of safety Quality of life Health economic parameters
In total 262 patients with leg lymphoedema will be enrolled into the study. Patients eligible for the study are those who suffer from late stage II and stage III according to the International Society of Lymphology lymphoedema staging. Lymphoedematous legs can be of primary or secondary origin and uni or bilaterally affected. Medical history will be taken at baseline.
Patients will be taught how to use the device they have been randomised to. Visits will then take place at weeks 1,4,8,12 and 24 weeks. The device will be used for up to 60 minutes each day on the trial limb. At each visit sequential circumferences of the affected and unaffected limbs will be measured with a tape measure.
All adverse events will be documented. At beginning and end of study quality of life questionnaires and health economic information will be completed by the patients.
At the Derby site assessment of tissue quality will be made using ultrasound and moisture meter to assess tissue fluid.
- Conditions
- Lymphedema
- Being tested
- Flexitouch System, Hydroven FPR
- Keywords
- lymphedema, pneumatic compression device, randomised clinical trial, volume reduction
- Medical subject headings
- Lymphedema
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Flexitouch SystemDevice
A segmental, programmable, gradient pneumatic compression device. It consists of a controller and garment set. The garments are constructed of nylon and have 27-32 chambers, depending upon garment size. The pressure setting is variable between "normal" and "increased." The device is intended to be used for 60 minutes per day
Hydroven FPRDevice
The FH is an intermittent sequential external pneumatic compression system. The garment contains 3 compression chambers. The pressure range of the compressor device is 30-100 mmHg. It is intended to be used for 60 minutes per day.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced PCD | Experimental | The use of an advanced PCD device to reduce and maintain limb volume Receives: Device: Flexitouch System |
| Simple PCD | Active comparator | The use of the Simple PCD is to reduce and maintain limb volume Receives: Device: Hydroven FPR |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Limb Volume Change Between Baseline and 12 Weeks of Treatment - ml
Limb volume in ml as assessed using the tape measure method of collecting circumferential leg measurements to insert into the truncated cone formula for limb volume calculation. A positive score indicates volume reduction between baseline and the noted follow-up, while a negative score indicates volume increase.
Measured: Baseline to 12 weeks was the primary outcome; other time points included for informational purposes.
Limb Volume Change Baseline to 12 Weeks of Treatment - Percent
Limb volume (percent change from baseline) as assessed using the tape measure method of collecting circumferential leg measurements to insert into the truncated cone formula for limb volume calculation. A positive score indicates volume reduction between baseline and the noted follow-up, while a negative score indicates volume increase.
Measured: Baseline to 12 weeks was the primary outcome; other time points included for informational purposes.
Secondary outcomes (1)
Adverse Events - Totals
Adverse and serious adverse events will be recorded for patients for the duration of their participation in the trial
Measured: Up to 24 weeks of treatment
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted11 Nov 2010 (estimated)
- Study start2 Nov 2010
- Primary completion26 Oct 2011
- Study completion27 Jun 2012
Why it stopped: Futility and underpowering of endpoint data
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Other trials for LymphedemaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 238 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Tactile Medical
- Sponsor type
- Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Christine J Moffatt, RN PhD, Study chair, Nottingham Trent UniversityVaughan Keeley, MD, Study director, Derby Hospitals NHS TrustMargaret Sneddon, RGN, Principal investigator, University of GlasgowPeter J Franks, PhD, Principal investigator, Tactile Medical
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01239160
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Flexitouch 1010
- Acronym
- ACE
- Status last verified
- Oct 2020
- First submitted
- 10 Nov 2010
- Last updated
- 6 Nov 2020
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 6 Nov 2020. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- At Home Evaluation of Two Pneumatic Compression Devices in the Treatment of Lower Extremity Lymphoedema(ACE: At Home Compression Evaluation)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01239160
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ACE / Flexitouch 1010
- Conditions
- Lymphedema
- Keywords
- lymphedema, pneumatic compression device, randomised clinical trial, volume reduction
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- TerminatedReason stopped: Futility and underpowering of endpoint data
- Enrolment
- 238 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Tactile MedicalIndustry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Study start
- 2 Nov 2010 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 26 Oct 2011 (actual)
- Study completion
- 27 Jun 2012 (actual)
- First posted
- 11 Nov 2010 (estimated)
- Results
- Posted 14 Oct 2020
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The treatment of lymphedema has been a major focus of attention for physicians and scientists for several decades. At this time, no successful techniques have been developed to prevent lymphedema, and therefore, a great deal of emphasis is placed on treatment modalities that can lessen the severity and impede the progression of this debilitating condition.
The treatment on offer usually consists of a maintenance phase using compression garments and an intensive treatment phase, which includes the use of skin care, compression bandaging, exercise and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD). The intensive phase is usually described as complex decongestive therapy (CDT). This is time consuming and requires high resource usage. Pneumatic compression devices (PCD) offer and alternative to MLD and can be used by the patient. There are a number of devices on the market that are categorized into 1. without calibrated gradient compression 2. With calibrated gradient compression.
This trial will compare two PCDs, a simple device without calibrated compression, and an advanced device with calibrated compression, in the reduction of swelling and maintenance of reduced limb volume in 262 patients with lower limb lymphoedema. The primary end point will be limb volume reduction over 12 weeks of treatment, with secondary outcome after 24 weeks.
Detailed description
This is a Multicentre, prospective, single (assessor) blind randomised study. The primary objective of the study is to assess volume reduction in the treatment of lymphoedematous legs with an advanced PCD compared to a simple PCD in patients with lower limb lymphoedema. The main outcome is the percentage volume reduction of the affected limb at end of treatment compared to baseline.
Secondary objectives of the study are Assessment of safety Quality of life Health economic parameters
In total 262 patients with leg lymphoedema will be enrolled into the study. Patients eligible for the study are those who suffer from late stage II and stage III according to the International Society of Lymphology lymphoedema staging. Lymphoedematous legs can be of primary or secondary origin and uni or bilaterally affected. Medical history will be taken at baseline.
Patients will be taught how to use the device they have been randomised to. Visits will then take place at weeks 1,4,8,12 and 24 weeks. The device will be used for up to 60 minutes each day on the trial limb. At each visit sequential circumferences of the affected and unaffected limbs will be measured with a tape measure.
All adverse events will be documented. At beginning and end of study quality of life questionnaires and health economic information will be completed by the patients.
At the Derby site assessment of tissue quality will be made using ultrasound and moisture meter to assess tissue fluid.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced PCD | Experimental | Device: Flexitouch SystemThe use of an advanced PCD device to reduce and maintain limb volume |
| Simple PCD | Active comparator | Device: Hydroven FPRThe use of the Simple PCD is to reduce and maintain limb volume |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Subjects must be ≥ 18 years old or legal age in host country.
- Subjects must have a diagnosis of primary or secondary late Stage 2 or 3 unilateral or bilateral lower extremity lymphoedema.
- At time of initial evaluation, individuals must be at least 3 months post-surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment for cancer if applicable.
- If subjects were treated in a clinic setting for lymphoedema (Phase 1 treatment) they must be at least 3 months post completion of their acute care.
Key exclusion criteria (13 listed)
- Diagnosis of active or recurrent cancer, or less than 3 months at the time of initial evaluation from the completion of chemotherapy, radiation therapy or primary surgery for the treatment of cancer.
- Diagnosis of acute infection. The source of the infection must be treated for 2 weeks prior to admittance into the study.
- Diagnosis of acute thrombophlebitis (in last 2 months)
- Diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease (PAD): PAD is defined as an Ankle Brachial Index (ABI), of 0.7 or lower.
- Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis within the previous 6 months
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Flexitouch SystemA segmental, programmable, gradient pneumatic compression device. It consists of a controller and garment set. The garments are constructed of nylon and have 27-32 chambers, depending upon garment size. The pressure setting is variable between "normal" and "increased." The device is intended to be used for 60 minutes per day | Device | Advanced PCD |
| Hydroven FPRThe FH is an intermittent sequential external pneumatic compression system. The garment contains 3 compression chambers. The pressure range of the compressor device is 30-100 mmHg. It is intended to be used for 60 minutes per day. | Device | Simple PCD |
Primary outcome
Limb Volume Change Between Baseline and 12 Weeks of Treatment - ml
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks was the primary outcome; other time points included for informational purposes.
Limb volume in ml as assessed using the tape measure method of collecting circumferential leg measurements to insert into the truncated cone formula for limb volume calculation. A positive score indicates volume reduction between baseline and the noted follow-up, while a negative score indicates volume increase.
Limb Volume Change Baseline to 12 Weeks of Treatment - Percent
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks was the primary outcome; other time points included for informational purposes.
Limb volume (percent change from baseline) as assessed using the tape measure method of collecting circumferential leg measurements to insert into the truncated cone formula for limb volume calculation. A positive score indicates volume reduction between baseline and the noted follow-up, while a negative score indicates volume increase.
1 secondary outcome
Adverse Events - Totals
Time frame: Up to 24 weeks of treatment
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 6 Nov 2020.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Christine J Moffatt, RN PhD study chair
Nottingham Trent University
Vaughan Keeley, MD study director
Derby Hospitals NHS Trust
Margaret Sneddon, RGN principal investigator
University of Glasgow
22 sites in 3 countries: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Flexitouch System and Hydroven FPR in people with Lymphedema, run by Tactile Medical at 22 sites in 3 countries.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 13 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: stopped early, as of the sponsor's last update on 6 Nov 2020. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 22 sites in United Kingdom, United States, Australia. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 14 Oct 2020). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Limb Volume Change Between Baseline and 12 Weeks of Treatment - ml (time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks was the primary outcome; other time points included for informational purposes.). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 6 Nov 2020; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.