Burn JointsNCT07837687
Effect of Paraffin Wax on Joint Contractures
A study testing Paraffin wax and Mineral oil in people with Burn Joints and Joint Contractures, run by Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM).
Trial summary
Limited studies have objectively evaluated the benefit on skin pliability, and relieving itch and pain of paraffin wax, nor has paraffin wax treatment been compared to mineral oil, which is an ingredient in therapeutic paraffin wax. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 16 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Burn Joints, Joint Contractures
- What is being tested?
- Paraffin wax and Mineral oil
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 12 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- Oct 2026to Oct 2028
- 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 16 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adult burn survivors (16 years and older)
- Have joint contractures ≥15% normal PROM at two different joints directly related to their burn injury/scars
- Are proficient in English and/or French
- Provide informed consent
Who cannot join
- Patients who have a cognitive/psychiatric condition that could impair their understanding of the consent process or adherence to protocol procedures
- Patients with neurological impairments related to their burn injury, such as a drop foot or a drop wrist
- Patients with pre-burn joint pathology that limited their PROM
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Paraffin Wax Therapy on Passive Range of Motion Post-burn Injury: a Pilot Randomized Control Trial
Limited studies have objectively evaluated the benefit on skin pliability, and relieving itch and pain of paraffin wax, nor has paraffin wax treatment been compared to mineral oil, which is an ingredient in therapeutic paraffin wax. The objective of this study is to examine the immediate impact after paraffin treatment compared with mineral oil controls on joint passive range of motion.
Read the detailed description
The development of joint contractures after a burn injury represents one of the most important morbidities leading to reduced function and quality of life. Paraffin wax is commonly applied to contracted joints for its proposed benefits of increasing skin pliability, and/or relieving itch and pain. This pilot study will determine the feasibility of performing a fully powered study to objectively evaluate whether paraffin wax therapy significantly improves PROM in adult burn survivors with joint contractures of greater than 15% normal joint ROM (upper or lower extremity) compared to equivalent mineral oil treated joint contractures. This study will characterize the changes in PROM, AROM, itch, and pain in adult burn survivors immediately after the application of paraffin wax treatment relative to an intra-individual control scar treated with mineral oil. This will be a prospective, evaluator-blinded, intra-individual, randomized, controlled, pre-post pilot study.
- Conditions
- Burn Joints, Joint Contractures
- Being tested
- Paraffin wax, Mineral oil
- Keywords
- Burns, Burn rehabilitation, Joint contracture, Paraffin wax
- Medical subject headings
- Burns
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Paraffin waxOther
Application of Paraffin wax on joint contracture for 20 mins before removal
Mineral oilOther
Application of Mineral oil on joint contracture for 20 mins before removal
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Joint contractures 1 wax, 2 oil | Experimental | Two selectionned joint contractures on a single participant. Interventions : one joint with paraffin wax, second joint with mineral oil Receives: Other: Paraffin wax; Other: Mineral oil |
| Joint contractures 1 oil, 2 wax | Experimental | Two selectionned joint contractures on a single participant. Interventions : one joint with mineral oil, second joint with paraffin wax Receives: Other: Paraffin wax; Other: Mineral oil |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
PROM changes
Passive range of motion of joint contractures treated with Paraffin wax or Mineral oil, before and after treatment, following regular and revised scar goniometry in extension and flexion
Measured: 20 minutes (enrollment to end of visit)
Secondary outcomes (3)
AROM changes
active range of motion of joint contractures treated with paraffin wax or mineral oil, before and after treatment, following regular and revised scar goniometry in extension and flexion
Measured: 20 minutes (enrollment to end of visit)
Pain changes in joint contractures
Subjective pain of joint contractures treated with paraffin wax or mineral oil (before and after) with Visual analog thermometer
Measured: 20 minutes (enrollment to end of visit)
Itch changes in joint contractures
Subjective itch of joint contractures treated with paraffin wax or mineral oil (before and after) with Visual analog thermometer
Measured: 20 minutes (enrollment to end of visit)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Sep 2026
- Study startOct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionOct 2028 (estimated)
- Study completionOct 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Burn JointsStudies 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
- 12 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Bernadette Nedelec, PhD, OT(c), Principal investigator, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07837687
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2027-13919
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 18 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 28 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Paraffin Wax Therapy on Passive Range of Motion Post-burn Injury: a Pilot Randomized Control Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07837687
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2027-13919
- Conditions
- Burn Joints, Joint Contractures
- Keywords
- Burns, Burn rehabilitation, Joint contracture, Paraffin wax
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 12 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)University, hospital or other
- Study start
- Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Oct 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Oct 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 23 Sep 2026 (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.
Limited studies have objectively evaluated the benefit on skin pliability, and relieving itch and pain of paraffin wax, nor has paraffin wax treatment been compared to mineral oil, which is an ingredient in therapeutic paraffin wax. The objective of this study is to examine the immediate impact after paraffin treatment compared with mineral oil controls on joint passive range of motion.
Detailed description
The development of joint contractures after a burn injury represents one of the most important morbidities leading to reduced function and quality of life. Paraffin wax is commonly applied to contracted joints for its proposed benefits of increasing skin pliability, and/or relieving itch and pain. This pilot study will determine the feasibility of performing a fully powered study to objectively evaluate whether paraffin wax therapy significantly improves PROM in adult burn survivors with joint contractures of greater than 15% normal joint ROM (upper or lower extremity) compared to equivalent mineral oil treated joint contractures. This study will characterize the changes in PROM, AROM, itch, and pain in adult burn survivors immediately after the application of paraffin wax treatment relative to an intra-individual control scar treated with mineral oil. This will be a prospective, evaluator-blinded, intra-individual, randomized, controlled, pre-post pilot study.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Joint contractures 1 wax, 2 oil | Experimental | Other: Paraffin wax, Other: Mineral oilTwo selectionned joint contractures on a single participant. Interventions : one joint with paraffin wax, second joint with mineral oil |
| Joint contractures 1 oil, 2 wax | Experimental | Other: Paraffin wax, Other: Mineral oilTwo selectionned joint contractures on a single participant. Interventions : one joint with mineral oil, second joint with paraffin wax |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 16 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Adult burn survivors (16 years and older)
- Have joint contractures ≥15% normal PROM at two different joints directly related to their burn injury/scars
- Are proficient in English and/or French
- Provide informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Patients who have a cognitive/psychiatric condition that could impair their understanding of the consent process or adherence to protocol procedures
- Patients with neurological impairments related to their burn injury, such as a drop foot or a drop wrist
- Patients with pre-burn joint pathology that limited their PROM
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paraffin waxApplication of Paraffin wax on joint contracture for 20 mins before removal | Other | Joint contractures 1 oil, 2 wax, Joint contractures 1 wax, 2 oil |
| Mineral oilApplication of Mineral oil on joint contracture for 20 mins before removal | Other | Joint contractures 1 oil, 2 wax, Joint contractures 1 wax, 2 oil |
Primary outcome
PROM changes
Time frame: 20 minutes (enrollment to end of visit)
Passive range of motion of joint contractures treated with Paraffin wax or Mineral oil, before and after treatment, following regular and revised scar goniometry in extension and flexion
3 secondary outcomes
AROM changes
Time frame: 20 minutes (enrollment to end of visit)
Pain changes in joint contractures
Time frame: 20 minutes (enrollment to end of visit)
Itch changes in joint contractures
Time frame: 20 minutes (enrollment to end of visit)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 28 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Burn Joints
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Recurrence of Extremity Joint Contracture After Z-Plasty Versus Full-Thickness Skin Graft
Joint Contracture, Contracture
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.
Bernadette Nedelec, PhD, OT(c) principal investigator
Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Paraffin wax and Mineral oil in people with Burn Joints and Joint Contractures, run by Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM).
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 3 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
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?
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?
Contact Jakub Sawicki, MSc (514-288-8201 ext. 4229, jakub.sawicki.chum@ssss.gouv.qc.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
PROM changes (time frame: 20 minutes (enrollment to end of visit)). 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 28 Sep 2026.