PainNCT05244187
Study to Evaluate the OrthoCor Active System for Pain Relief
A study testing OrthoCor Active System in people with Pain, run by Caerus Corporation at 5 sites in United States.
Trial summary
This is a prospective, multi-center, randomized, pivotal study to evaluate the OrthoCor Active System in individuals prescribed its use in comparison with the standard of care intervention for pain relief. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Pain
- What is being tested?
- OrthoCor Active System
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 120 participants
- Where
- 5 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- 7 Nov 2022to 23 Nov 2023
- 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
- Individuals presenting with pain in superficial soft tissue, such as ankle, back, knee, wrist, elbow, shoulder, foot, or neck pain, or minor muscular and joint aches and pains associated with over exertion, strains, sprains, or arthritis
- Prescribed use of the OrthoCor Active System or Standard of Care (SOC) intervention
- Willing and able to provide informed consent or obtain consent from legal authorized representative (LAR)
Who cannot join
- Have a cardiac pacemaker, cardioverter defibrillator, neurostimulator, infusion pump or any active medical implant
- Have an implanted metallic lead or any type of wire coil implant, or any implanted system that may contain lead
- Who are or may be pregnant
- Have an open wound at the area of application
- Are not capable or fully aware to the sensation of heat
- Have poor circulation or heart disease
Show all 13Show fewer
- Have diabetes
- Under the age of 18 or individuals with open bone growth plates
- Unable to provide consent or obtain consent from a LAR
- Unwilling or unable to use the OrthoCor Active System or Standard of Care (SOC) intervention
- Unwilling or unable to complete the daily pain assessment
- Enrolled in a study to evaluate an investigational drug
- Prisoner or under incarceration
Trial locations and contacts
5 sites in 1 country.
5 sites in 1 country
United States5 sites
GFC of Southeastern Michigan PC
Detroit, Michigan, 48202
Andrews Research & Education Foundation
Gulf Breeze, Florida, 32561
Orlin & Cohen Orthopedic Group
Smithtown, New York, 11787
Rothman Orthopedic Institute
Washington Township, New Jersey, 08080
Spinal Pain and Rehabilitation Medicine
Yonkers, New York, 10701
About this study
Official title: Prospective, Multi-Center, Randomized Study to Evaluate the OrthoCor Active System for Pain Relief
This is a prospective, multi-center, randomized, pivotal study to evaluate the OrthoCor Active System in individuals prescribed its use in comparison with the standard of care intervention for pain relief.
Read the detailed description
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 50 million adults in the United States have chronic daily pain, with 19.6 million adults experiencing high impact chronic pain that interferes with daily life or work activities. Clinical best practices may recommend a collaborative, multimodal, multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach to treatment for various acute and chronic pain conditions to achieve optimal patient outcomes. For improved functionality, activities of daily living, and quality of life, clinicians are encouraged to consider and prioritize, when clinically indicated, nonpharmacologic approaches to pain management.
An alternative treatment option can be the use of restorative therapies. Restorative therapies play a significant role in acute and chronic pain management, and positive clinical outcomes are more likely if restorative therapy is part of a multidisciplinary treatment plan following a comprehensive assessment.
The OrthoCor Active System uses specialized Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) technology to relieve pain and reduce edema through safe, clinically proven therapy. PEMF is a low-level, time-varying electromagnetic field that penetrates superficial soft tissue, helping to accelerate the body's natural anti-inflammatory and recovery responses. Inside every OrthoCor Active System is proprietary electronic circuitry that delivers PEMF to the source of injuries. PEMF has been shown to stimulate reaction pathways that result in pain and inflammation reduction. OrthoCor's patented PEMF accelerates the binding of calcium (Ca2+) to calmodulin (CaM), the process responsible for the body's natural, antiinflammatory nitric oxide (NO) cascade. NO is a key element in the body's natural healing process. It is also a vasodilator, increasing blood and lymphatic flow. Additionally, NO down-regulates interleukin-1 beta (IL1β) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which leads to reduced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandins - molecules responsible for causing inflammation and pain. Unlike other systemic COX-2 inhibitors such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), OrthoCor's targeted PEMF signals stimulate localized reaction pathways, thereby reducing pain and inflammation without the risks and side effects associated with NSAIDs.
In previous clinical studies, OrthoCor Active System was clinically proven to reduce pain, swelling and provide lasting relief without the use of pain medications or invasive procedures. OrthoCor Medical Inc. conducted a prospective, double blind, placebo controlled, randomized pilot study (2014-2016), enrolling 80 patients with Kellgren-Lawrence knee arthritis who used the OrthoCor knee system, which showed a significant 60% reduction in the mean pain score within the first 3 days of use compared with the sham group 2. A preliminary study conducted by OrthoCor Medical Inc. in 33 patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis utilizing the OrthCor knee system, showed reduced pain and stiffness after 15 days of treatment with a 43% reduction in pain score and a 79% improvement in activity limitations, symptoms, emotions, and overall quality of life.
The OrthoCor Active System is a portable (battery operated) non-invasive shortwave diathermy medical device which applies electromagnetic energy at a radio frequency (RF) of 27.12 MHz for the treatment of pain in superficial soft tissue, such as in the ankle, back, knee, wrist, elbow, shoulder, foot, or neck. The OrthoCor Active System delivers the pulsed RF signal of 6.5+0.5 Ws/cm3 to the tissue target via the inductive coupling with an applicator coil. The system also uses disposable, single-use, air activated OrthoPods that provide heat for the temporary relief of minor muscular \& joint aches \& pains associated with overexertion, strains, sprains, and arthritis.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the OrthoCor Active System in individuals presenting with post-operative pain and edema in superficial soft tissue. The OrthoCor Active System will be compared to the SOC intervention.
- Conditions
- Pain
- Being tested
- OrthoCor Active System
- Medical subject headings
- Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
OrthoCor Active SystemDevice
The OrthoCor Active System is a portable (battery operated) non-invasive device that delivers Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy for General Use of temporary pain relief, utilizing wraps that position the therapy, such as on the ankle, back, knee, wrist, elbow, shoulder, foot, or neck.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| OrthoCor Active System | Experimental | OrthoCor Active System used for pain relief Receives: Device: OrthoCor Active System |
| Standard of care | No intervention | standard of care: over-the-counter pain medication |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Primary Safety EndPoint
Number of participants with adverse events
Measured: after 2 weeks of use
Primary Efficacy EndPoint
Change from baseline of Mankoski pain scale between OrthoCor and standard of care. The Mankoski pain scale ranges from 0 representing no pain to 10 representing pain causing unconsciousness.
Measured: at baseline compared to during 2 weeks of use
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Feb 2022
- Study start7 Nov 2022
- Primary completion30 Oct 2023
- Study completion23 Nov 2023
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.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for PainStudies 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
- Model description
- 1:1 assignment
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Caerus Corporation
- Sponsor type
- Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Joshua G Hackel, MD, Principal investigator, Andrews Research and Education Foundation
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05244187
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PCM-OAS-01
- Status last verified
- Jul 2024
- First submitted
- 8 Feb 2022
- Last updated
- 28 Feb 2025
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Hackel JG, Paci JM, Gupta S, Maravelas DA, North TJ, Paunescu A. Evaluating Noninvasive Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy for Joint and Soft Tissue Pain Management: A Prospective, Multi-center, Randomized Clinical Trial. Pain Ther. 2025 Apr;14(2):723-735. doi: 10.1007/s40122-025-00711-z. Epub 2025 Feb 10.
PubMed 39928254
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Feb 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Prospective, Multi-Center, Randomized Study to Evaluate the OrthoCor Active System for Pain Relief
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05244187
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PCM-OAS-01
- Conditions
- Pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Caerus CorporationIndustry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Study start
- 7 Nov 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Oct 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 23 Nov 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 17 Feb 2022 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 17 Jul 2024
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This is a prospective, multi-center, randomized, pivotal study to evaluate the OrthoCor Active System in individuals prescribed its use in comparison with the standard of care intervention for pain relief.
Detailed description
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 50 million adults in the United States have chronic daily pain, with 19.6 million adults experiencing high impact chronic pain that interferes with daily life or work activities. Clinical best practices may recommend a collaborative, multimodal, multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach to treatment for various acute and chronic pain conditions to achieve optimal patient outcomes. For improved functionality, activities of daily living, and quality of life, clinicians are encouraged to consider and prioritize, when clinically indicated, nonpharmacologic approaches to pain management.
An alternative treatment option can be the use of restorative therapies. Restorative therapies play a significant role in acute and chronic pain management, and positive clinical outcomes are more likely if restorative therapy is part of a multidisciplinary treatment plan following a comprehensive assessment.
The OrthoCor Active System uses specialized Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) technology to relieve pain and reduce edema through safe, clinically proven therapy. PEMF is a low-level, time-varying electromagnetic field that penetrates superficial soft tissue, helping to accelerate the body's natural anti-inflammatory and recovery responses. Inside every OrthoCor Active System is proprietary electronic circuitry that delivers PEMF to the source of injuries. PEMF has been shown to stimulate reaction pathways that result in pain and inflammation reduction. OrthoCor's patented PEMF accelerates the binding of calcium (Ca2+) to calmodulin (CaM), the process responsible for the body's natural, antiinflammatory nitric oxide (NO) cascade. NO is a key element in the body's natural healing process. It is also a vasodilator, increasing blood and lymphatic flow. Additionally, NO down-regulates interleukin-1 beta (IL1β) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which leads to reduced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandins - molecules responsible for causing inflammation and pain. Unlike other systemic COX-2 inhibitors such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), OrthoCor's targeted PEMF signals stimulate localized reaction pathways, thereby reducing pain and inflammation without the risks and side effects associated with NSAIDs.
In previous clinical studies, OrthoCor Active System was clinically proven to reduce pain, swelling and provide lasting relief without the use of pain medications or invasive procedures. OrthoCor Medical Inc. conducted a prospective, double blind, placebo controlled, randomized pilot study (2014-2016), enrolling 80 patients with Kellgren-Lawrence knee arthritis who used the OrthoCor knee system, which showed a significant 60% reduction in the mean pain score within the first 3 days of use compared with the sham group 2. A preliminary study conducted by OrthoCor Medical Inc. in 33 patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis utilizing the OrthCor knee system, showed reduced pain and stiffness after 15 days of treatment with a 43% reduction in pain score and a 79% improvement in activity limitations, symptoms, emotions, and overall quality of life.
The OrthoCor Active System is a portable (battery operated) non-invasive shortwave diathermy medical device which applies electromagnetic energy at a radio frequency (RF) of 27.12 MHz for the treatment of pain in superficial soft tissue, such as in the ankle, back, knee, wrist, elbow, shoulder, foot, or neck. The OrthoCor Active System delivers the pulsed RF signal of 6.5+0.5 Ws/cm3 to the tissue target via the inductive coupling with an applicator coil. The system also uses disposable, single-use, air activated OrthoPods that provide heat for the temporary relief of minor muscular \& joint aches \& pains associated with overexertion, strains, sprains, and arthritis.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the OrthoCor Active System in individuals presenting with post-operative pain and edema in superficial soft tissue. The OrthoCor Active System will be compared to the SOC intervention.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- 1:1 assignment
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| OrthoCor Active System | Experimental | Device: OrthoCor Active SystemOrthoCor Active System used for pain relief |
| Standard of care | No intervention | –standard of care: over-the-counter pain medication |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Individuals presenting with pain in superficial soft tissue, such as ankle, back, knee, wrist, elbow, shoulder, foot, or neck pain, or minor muscular and joint aches and pains associated with over exertion, strains, sprains, or arthritis
- Prescribed use of the OrthoCor Active System or Standard of Care (SOC) intervention
- Willing and able to provide informed consent or obtain consent from legal authorized representative (LAR)
Key exclusion criteria (13 listed)
- Have a cardiac pacemaker, cardioverter defibrillator, neurostimulator, infusion pump or any active medical implant
- Have an implanted metallic lead or any type of wire coil implant, or any implanted system that may contain lead
- Who are or may be pregnant
- Have an open wound at the area of application
- Are not capable or fully aware to the sensation of heat
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 |
|---|---|---|
| OrthoCor Active SystemThe OrthoCor Active System is a portable (battery operated) non-invasive device that delivers Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy for General Use of temporary pain relief, utilizing wraps that position the therapy, such as on the ankle, back, knee, wrist, elbow, shoulder, foot, or neck. | Device | OrthoCor Active System |
Primary outcome
Primary Safety EndPoint
Time frame: after 2 weeks of use
Number of participants with adverse events
Primary Efficacy EndPoint
Time frame: at baseline compared to during 2 weeks of use
Change from baseline of Mankoski pain scale between OrthoCor and standard of care. The Mankoski pain scale ranges from 0 representing no pain to 10 representing pain causing unconsciousness.
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 28 Feb 2025.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Results publication: PubMed 39928254Hackel JG, Paci JM, Gupta S, Maravelas DA, North TJ, Paunescu A. Evaluating Noninvasive Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy for Joint and Soft Tissue Pain Management: A Prospective, Multi-center, Randomized Clinical Trial. Pain Ther. 2025 Apr;14(2):723-735. doi: 10.1007/s40122-025-00711-z. Epub 2025 Feb 10.
- 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.
Joshua G Hackel, MD principal investigator
Andrews Research and Education Foundation
5 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing OrthoCor Active System in people with Pain, run by Caerus Corporation at 5 sites 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 3 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Feb 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 5 sites 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. 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 17 Jul 2024). 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?
Primary Safety EndPoint (time frame: after 2 weeks of use). 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?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05244187, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 28 Feb 2025.