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Laryngopharyngeal RefluxNCT04827355

Reflux Band in Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

A study testing External Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES) Compression Device in people with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux, run by University of California, San Diego at 1 site in United States.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

This 12 week biomarker targeted double blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) will enroll subjects with salivary pepsin positive laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) to assess efficacy of the external upper esophageal sphincter (UES) compression device, also known as the Reflux Band. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 99 years
Conditions the study is for
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
What is being tested?
External Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES) Compression Device
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
72 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
7 May 2021to 30 Apr 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

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 to 99 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Adults between 18-99, English or Spanish speaking
  • ≥8 weeks of laryngeal symptoms (dysphonia, throat clearing, cough, globus, and/or sore throat)
  • Current use of double daily dose acid suppression therapy (ex. omeprazole 40mg, omeprazole 20mg and famotidine 20mg)
  • Laryngoscopic exam prior to screening with current symptoms
  • At least 1 of the following:
  • Elevated reflux testing
  • Findings on upper endoscopy that are consistent with pathologic GERD
  • Fasting pepsin analysis result of ≥25 ng/mL within 4 months of enrollment (12 months if treatment plan has not changed) *testing allowed at enrollment if not previously obtained

Who cannot join

  • Prior use of Reflux Band (UES Compression Device)
  • Sino-pulmonary conditions (such as asthma, COPD, post-nasal drip, heavy voice use) as primary etiology of laryngeal symptoms as deemed by treating gastroenterologist and / or laryngologist
  • Laryngeal mass or lesion on laryngoscopy
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Unable to consent in English or Spanish
  • Imprisoned
Show all 18Show fewer
  • Patients with a prior foregut surgery
  • Patients with a known achalasia diagnosis
  • Inability to fast for 4 hours
  • Active tobacco use
  • Supplemental oxygen use
  • Contraindication to UES Compression Device manufacturer guidelines:
  • Patients with implants or implant parts that reside in the area where Reflux Band is applied: implanted pacemarker, implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), vagus nerve stimulator (VNS), or other such devices implanted in the neck
  • Patients diagnosed with glaucoma.
  • Patients who had a malignancy of the neck, including neck surgery.
  • Patients that may have an altered mental status including due to the use of sedative drugs or narcotics.
  • Patients with carotid artery disease, uncontrolled thyroid disease, a history of cerebrovascular disease, or connective tissue disorder of Marfan's Syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
  • Patients who use nocturnal NIV machines such as CPAP or BiPAP.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • University of California, San Diego

    La Jolla, California, 92037

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial of the Reflux Band in Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR)

This 12 week biomarker targeted double blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) will enroll subjects with salivary pepsin positive laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) to assess efficacy of the external upper esophageal sphincter (UES) compression device, also known as the Reflux Band. Subjects will be randomized to one of two arms: control or experimental. Following the 8 week intervention period subjects in both arms will continue in a 4 week unblinded period. The primary hypothesis is that a significantly higher proportion of subjects in the experimental arm will meet the primary endpoint for symptom response, compared to subjects in the control arm.

Read the detailed description

This study seeks to understand if the Reflux Band is an effective treatment for laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in comparison to a sham device. LPR is a syndrome in which acid that is made in the stomach travels up the esophagus and into the throat, causing chronic symptoms including throat clearing, voice hoarseness, sore throat, etc. Participation in the study may or may not benefit you directly, and may result in new knowledge that may help others.

Participation in this study involves: 3 - 4 in person visits (2 of which are part of standard of care) ranging from 30 - 45 minutes each and 2 virtual visits, either by phone or video, each 15 minutes. Participants are assigned with a 50/50 chance (similar to a coin flip) via a computer generator to receive the Reflux Band or sham device (a device that will not provide you medical therapy) which they will wear around their neck nightly while sleeping (6+ hours) over a duration of 8 weeks. The Reflux Band, which has been cleared for use by the FDA, applies pressure to the outside of the neck at the cricoid cartilage, at the middle of the neck, and increases the internal pressure of the muscle separating the throat from the esophagus (upper esophageal sphincter). Participants will only wear the band while sleeping at night and remove in the morning upon waking. The in person visits will occur at one of these UCSD La Jolla locations: the Perlman Medical Office Gastroenterology clinic, the Center for Voice and Swallowing, Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute (ACTRI) Clinic.

There is an optional 4 week extension at the end of this study in which the Reflux Band will be refit (if sham) to provide the manufacturer's specified pressure. This portion contains 1 virtual follow up during week 10 and an in person follow up during week 12, at which time study participation will conclude.

The most commonly expected risks of the study are skin reaction, discomfort, and difficulty sleeping. These were generally mild and short in duration. No serious risks were observed when the Reflux Band was worn around the neck in previous studies.

Being tested
External Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES) Compression Device, Sham Device
Keywords
Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI), Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES) Compression Device
Medical subject headings
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • External Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES) Compression DeviceDevice

    Also called Reflux Band, Reza Band

    External Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES) Compression Device fit to manufacturer guidelines.

  • Sham DeviceDevice

    External Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES) Compression Device fit to pressure known not to provide treatment.

Study groups in NCT04827355
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
ControlSham comparatorParticipants allocated to the control arm will be fit with the UES Compression Device at a pressure known not to provide intervention.
Receives: Device: Sham Device
ExperimentalExperimentalParticipants allocated to the experimental arm will be fit with the UES Compression Device according to manufacturer guidelines.
Receives: Device: External Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES) Compression Device

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Measure response to the UES Compression Device in pepsin positive LPR.

    Change in reflux symptom index score (primary outcome) between intervention versus sham arm will determine device efficacy.

    Measured: 5 years

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Measure pepsin response to the UES Compression Device in pepsin positive LPR.

    Change in salivary pepsin concentration between pre and post treatment.

    Measured: 5 years

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted1 Apr 2021
  2. Study start7 May 2021
  3. Primary completion30 Apr 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Apr 2026 (estimated)

Resources

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
Model description
Subjects will be randomized to one of two arms: control or experimental. Randomization will be 1:1 to control (sham, known not to provide intervention) and experimental (fit to manufacturer guidelines).
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
72 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04827355
Sponsor's protocol ID
201945
Other IDs
K23DK125266
Status last verified
Apr 2025
First submitted
29 Mar 2021
Last updated
8 Apr 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
Individual data sharing
No: IPD will not be shared with other researchers.

Publications

  • Vakil N, van Zanten SV, Kahrilas P, Dent J, Jones R; Global Consensus Group. The Montreal definition and classification of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a global evidence-based consensus. Am J Gastroenterol. 2006 Aug;101(8):1900-20; quiz 1943. doi: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00630.x.

    PubMed 16928254
  • Olson NR. Laryngopharyngeal manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 1991 Oct;24(5):1201-13.

    PubMed 1754220
  • Cohen SM, Pitman MJ, Noordzij JP, Courey M. Management of dysphonic patients by otolaryngologists. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2012 Aug;147(2):289-94. doi: 10.1177/0194599812440780. Epub 2012 Feb 24.

    PubMed 22368039
  • Ruiz R, Jeswani S, Andrews K, Rafii B, Paul BC, Branski RC, Amin MR. Hoarseness and laryngopharyngeal reflux: a survey of primary care physician practice patterns. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014 Mar;140(3):192-6. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2013.6533.

    PubMed 24481258
  • Litvinov AV. [Method of tracheobronchial spraying of drugs in aerosols]. Vestn Khir Im I I Grek. 1976 Jan;116(1):100-1. No abstract available. Russian.

    PubMed 1020172
  • de Bortoli N, Nacci A, Savarino E, Martinucci I, Bellini M, Fattori B, Ceccarelli L, Costa F, Mumolo MG, Ricchiuti A, Savarino V, Berrettini S, Marchi S. How many cases of laryngopharyngeal reflux suspected by laryngoscopy are gastroesophageal reflux disease-related? World J Gastroenterol. 2012 Aug 28;18(32):4363-70. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i32.4363.

    PubMed 22969200
  • Shaker R, Babaei A, Naini SR. Prevention of esophagopharyngeal reflux by augmenting the upper esophageal sphincter pressure barrier. Laryngoscope. 2014 Oct;124(10):2268-74. doi: 10.1002/lary.24735. Epub 2014 Jun 27.

    PubMed 24782387
  • Slivers SL, Vaezi MF, Vakil MB, et al. Prospective study of upper esophageal sphincter assist device for treating extraesophageal reflux. Otolaryngol Open J. 2016; 2(1): 31-38. doi: 10.17140/OTLOJ-2-109

  • Yadlapati R, Craft J, Adkins CJ, Pandolfino JE. The Upper Esophageal Sphincter Assist Device Is Associated With Symptom Response in Reflux-Associated Laryngeal Symptoms. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018 Oct;16(10):1670-1672. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2018.01.031. Epub 2018 Jan 31.

    PubMed 29408585
  • Yadlapati R, Robles L, Clarke MK, Low EE, Walsh E, Krause AJ, Kaizer A. Randomized Controlled Trial of Upper Esophageal Sphincter Assist Device in Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2026 Aug;24(8):2108-2117. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2025.12.015. Epub 2025 Dec 22.

    PubMed 41443523

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing External Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES) Compression Device in people with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux, run by University of California, San Diego at 1 site in United States.

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 8 inclusion and 18 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: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Apr 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. 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. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. 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?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

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?

Measure response to the UES Compression Device in pepsin positive LPR. (time frame: 5 years). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04827355, which also lists 10 linked publications.

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 8 Apr 2025.

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