Gastroesophageal RefluxLEFT-APPNCT06075082
The Effect of the LEFT Smartwatch App as Sleep Positional Therapy for Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms.
A study testing LEFT smartwatch app in people with Gastroesophageal Reflux and Heartburn, run by Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA) at 1 site in Netherlands.
Trial summary
The main objectives of the study are (1) to investigate if sleep positional therapy, using the LEFT smartwatch app reduces nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease symptomatology at night and (2) stimulates patients to avoid sleeping in the right lateral sleep… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Gastroesophageal Reflux, Heartburn
- What is being tested?
- LEFT smartwatch app
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 18 participants
- Where
- 1 siteNetherlands
- Study dates
- 1 Oct 2023to 7 Oct 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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
- Written informed consent.
- Both male and female patients will be included.
- Age 18 years or older.
- Symptoms of heartburn and/or acid regurgitation during at least three nights a week.
- A total reflux symptom score ≥8 (measured through the GERDQ questionnaire score).
- Able to wear the Apple Watch on the left wrist.
Who cannot join
- Complete PPIs non-responders.
- Nightshift workers
- Surgery of the esophagus or stomach.
- Regular use of sleep medication (benzodiazepines) or medication which affect gastrointestinal motility (e.g. prokinetics or opioids) that cannot be stopped during the duration of the trial.
- Severe and clinically unstable concomitant disease (e.g. liver, cardiovascular or lung disease, neurological or psychiatric disorders, cancer or AIDS and other endocrine disorders)
- Patients with obstructive sleep apnea or esophageal motility disorders.
- Pregnant or lactating women.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
The main objectives of the study are (1) to investigate if sleep positional therapy, using the LEFT smartwatch app reduces nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease symptomatology at night and (2) stimulates patients to avoid sleeping in the right lateral sleep position.
Read the detailed description
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common gastro-intestinal disorders and approximately 50-80% of the GERD patients experience nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. Symptoms at night have a negative impact on sleep quality, daytime functioning and quality of life. When sleeping in left lateral decubitus position, the stomach is positioned below the esophagus, resulting in less reflux compared to sleeping in right lateral decubitus position. Sleep positional therapy, using an electronic wearable device which gently vibrates in an annoying way when turning in the sleep to the disadvantageous right lateral decubitus position, stimulates subjects to avoid sleeping in the right lateral decubitus position and effectively alleviates nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. This prospective single center interventional pilot study will aim to (1) investigate if sleep positional therapy, using the LEFT smartwatch app reduces nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in patients with GERD symptomatology at night and (2) stimulates patients to avoid sleeping in the right lateral sleep position.
- Conditions
- Gastroesophageal Reflux, Heartburn
- Being tested
- LEFT smartwatch app
- Keywords
- Sleep positional therapy
- Medical subject headings
- Gastroesophageal Reflux, Heartburn
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
LEFT smartwatch appDevice
The LEFT smartwatch app is an app on the Apple Watch which measures body sleep position and gently vibrates when the body is in the right lateral decubitus position. In this way, patients with nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux symptoms learn to avoid the right lateral sleep position as they will avoid the annoying vibrations. Measurements while using the smartwatch app will be compared to measurements at baseline.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep positional therapy by using the LEFT smartwatch app | Experimental | Not described Receives: Device: LEFT smartwatch app |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom Severity and Impact Questionnaire (N-GSSIQ)
The primary efficacy measure is relative change in total nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux symptoms measured by the Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom Severity and Impact Questionnaire (N-GSSIQ).
The N-GSSIQ is a 20-item questionnaire measuring the severity, morning impact and concern about nocturnal gastro-esophageal reflux disease. The N-GSSIQ is a validated questionnaire to assess nocturnal GERD symptom severity over the past 2 weeks. The N-GSSIQ is comprised of three subscales: Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom Severity (13 questions, score range 0-65), Morning Impact of Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (2 questions, score range 0-10), and Concern about Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (5 questions, score range 0-20). Total score ranging from 0 to 95. A higher score indicates more severe symptoms.
Measured: 2 weeks
Secondary outcomes (7)
Treatment success
Percent responders as treatment success, defined as subjects with a minimal 50% reduction in nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux symptoms measured by N-GSSIQ
Measured: 2 weeks
Change in total Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom Severity and Impact Questionnaire (N-GSSIQ) score.
Change in total Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom Severity and Impact Questionnaire (N-GSSIQ) score.
The N-GSSIQ is a 20-item questionnaire measuring the severity, morning impact and concern about nocturnal gastro-esophageal reflux disease. The N-GSSIQ is a validated questionnaire to assess nocturnal GERD symptom severity over the past 2 weeks. The N-GSSIQ is comprised of three subscales: Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom Severity (13 questions, score range 0-65), Morning Impact of Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (2 questions, score range 0-10), and Concern about Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (5 questions, score range 0-20). Total score ranging from 0 to 95. A higher score indicates more severe symptoms.
Measured: 2 weeks
Sleep position
Change in sleep position. Four sleep positions will be studied: left lateral decubitus, right lateral decubitus, supine and prone. The outcome sleep position will be noted as percentage of the time sleeping in a certain sleep position during the entire sleep.
Measured: 2 weeks
Number of nocturnal reflux free nights
Change in the number of nocturnal reflux free nights measured by daily symptom diary
Measured: 2 weeks
Reflux disease questionnaire (RDQ)
Change in reflux symptoms measured by Reflux disease questionnaire (RDQ) questionnaire.
The RDQ is a validated 12-item questionnaire to obtain information on the current severity and frequency of reflux symptoms (heartburn, regurgitation and dyspepsia). The three subscales are the different reflux symptoms and consist of four questions. Scores were scaled with a Likert scale which ranges from 0 to 5. Subjects have more frequent and severe reflux symptoms if the RDQ score is higher
Measured: 2 weeks
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Change in sleep quality measured by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
The PSQI is a validated 19-item questionnaire assessing various factors relating to sleep quality, sleep disturbance and usual sleep habits. The 19 items are grouped into seven component scores (sleep quality, sleep onset latency, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medication and daytime dysfunction). The seven component scores are summed to calculate a global PSQI score, which has a range of 0-21. A higher score indicates a worse sleep quality; and a score above 5 is suspect for insomnia.
Measured: 2 weeks
Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ)
Change in sleep quality measured by Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ).
The FOSQ is a validated questionnaire about sleep-quality of life which consists of 30 questions. The short form which consists of 10 questions will be used in this study. Questions have a 4-point Likert scale. The recall period is not specified, but two weeks will be used in this study. A lowerscore indicates a worse sleep quality.
Measured: 2 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Oct 2023
- Study start1 Oct 2023
- Primary completion7 Oct 2024
- Study completion7 Oct 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Gastroesophageal RefluxStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA)The sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 18 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Prof.dr. A.J. (Arjan) Bredenoord, Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA)
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06075082
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- NL83321.018.22
- Acronym
- LEFT-APP
- Status last verified
- May 2025
- First submitted
- 27 Sep 2023
- Last updated
- 31 May 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 31 May 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of the LEFT Smartwatch App as Sleep Positional Therapy for Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06075082
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- LEFT-APP / NL83321.018.22
- Conditions
- Gastroesophageal Reflux, Heartburn
- Keywords
- Sleep positional therapy
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 18 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA)University, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Oct 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 7 Oct 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 7 Oct 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 10 Oct 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The main objectives of the study are (1) to investigate if sleep positional therapy, using the LEFT smartwatch app reduces nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease symptomatology at night and (2) stimulates patients to avoid sleeping in the right lateral sleep position.
Detailed description
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common gastro-intestinal disorders and approximately 50-80% of the GERD patients experience nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. Symptoms at night have a negative impact on sleep quality, daytime functioning and quality of life. When sleeping in left lateral decubitus position, the stomach is positioned below the esophagus, resulting in less reflux compared to sleeping in right lateral decubitus position. Sleep positional therapy, using an electronic wearable device which gently vibrates in an annoying way when turning in the sleep to the disadvantageous right lateral decubitus position, stimulates subjects to avoid sleeping in the right lateral decubitus position and effectively alleviates nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. This prospective single center interventional pilot study will aim to (1) investigate if sleep positional therapy, using the LEFT smartwatch app reduces nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in patients with GERD symptomatology at night and (2) stimulates patients to avoid sleeping in the right lateral sleep position.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep positional therapy by using the LEFT smartwatch app | Experimental | Device: LEFT smartwatch app |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Written informed consent.
- Both male and female patients will be included.
- Age 18 years or older.
- Symptoms of heartburn and/or acid regurgitation during at least three nights a week.
- A total reflux symptom score ≥8 (measured through the GERDQ questionnaire score).
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Complete PPIs non-responders.
- Nightshift workers
- Surgery of the esophagus or stomach.
- Regular use of sleep medication (benzodiazepines) or medication which affect gastrointestinal motility (e.g. prokinetics or opioids) that cannot be stopped during the duration of the trial.
- Severe and clinically unstable concomitant disease (e.g. liver, cardiovascular or lung disease, neurological or psychiatric disorders, cancer or AIDS and other endocrine disorders)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| LEFT smartwatch appThe LEFT smartwatch app is an app on the Apple Watch which measures body sleep position and gently vibrates when the body is in the right lateral decubitus position. In this way, patients with nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux symptoms learn to avoid the right lateral sleep position as they will avoid the annoying vibrations. Measurements while using the smartwatch app will be compared to measurements at baseline. | Device | Sleep positional therapy by using the LEFT smartwatch app |
Primary outcome
Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom Severity and Impact Questionnaire (N-GSSIQ)
Time frame: 2 weeks
The primary efficacy measure is relative change in total nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux symptoms measured by the Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom Severity and Impact Questionnaire (N-GSSIQ). The N-GSSIQ is a 20-item questionnaire measuring the severity, morning impact and concern about nocturnal gastro-esophageal reflux disease. The N-GSSIQ is a validated questionnaire to assess nocturnal GERD symptom severity over the past 2 weeks. The N-GSSIQ is comprised of three subscales: Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom Severity (13 questions, score range 0-65), Morning Impact of Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (2 questions, score range 0-10), and Concern about Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (5 questions, score range 0-20). Total score ranging from 0 to 95. A higher score indicates more severe symptoms.
7 secondary outcomes
Treatment success
Time frame: 2 weeks
Change in total Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom Severity and Impact Questionnaire (N-GSSIQ) score.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Sleep position
Time frame: 2 weeks
Number of nocturnal reflux free nights
Time frame: 2 weeks
Reflux disease questionnaire (RDQ)
Time frame: 2 weeks
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Time frame: 2 weeks
Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ)
Time frame: 2 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 31 May 2025.
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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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing LEFT smartwatch app in people with Gastroesophageal Reflux and Heartburn, run by Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA) at 1 site in Netherlands.
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 6 inclusion and 7 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 31 May 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 Netherlands. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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?
Nocturnal Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom Severity and Impact Questionnaire (N-GSSIQ) (time frame: 2 weeks). 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 31 May 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.