Heat Shock Therapy to Improve Mitochondrial Function in Neuropathy (HOTFUN)

December 21, 2024 updated by: Paige Geiger, PhD, University of Kansas Medical Center

Sensory dysfunction as a result of peripheral nerve damage is a significant problem that leads to reduced quality of life for patients. The prevalence of sensory dysfunction in peripheral neuropathy associates with epidemic increases in prediabetes and diabetes, but also is relevant to chemotherapy treatments and genetic disorders. Clinical approaches to treat peripheral neuropathy and to stimulate axon growth in settings of peripheral axon loss are limited. Although new drugs will hopefully be forthcoming, the most promising approaches likely involve behavioral and lifestyle interventions. Mitochondrial dysfunction is emerging as a key cellular contribution to peripheral axon health and peripheral neuropathy. Mitochondrial deficiencies contribute to neuropathy and include impaired mitochondrial problems with trafficking, mitophagy, fission, and biogenesis. All of these are thought to lead to a bioenergetic crisis, ending in distal axonal degeneration, sensory dysfunction and pain. Heat shock proteins play a critically important role in cellular homeostasis and increasing heat shock protein functions within cells leads to a range of positive improvements, particularly in mitochondria. In addition, new evidence suggests that increasing heat shock protein responses in peripheral nerves has powerful, positive impacts on sensory function and neuropathy.

Our interdisciplinary team will investigate the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in peripheral neuropathy and translate these approaches to improve treatment for patients with peripheral neuropathy. The investigators hypothesize that novel heat treatment interventions that improve mitochondrial function will improve metabolic symptoms and peripheral nerve mitochondria, leading to improvements in sensory function, via heat shock protein induction. The investigators will employ immersion heat treatment to elevate heat shock protein responses that induce positive changes in peripheral nerve mitochondria. One aspect is to confirm the efficacy, safety, and potential for heat treatment to improve sensory dysfunction in human patients with prediabetes. The goal of this proposal is 1) to test the breadth of heat treatment on various forms of neuropathy, 2) identify mechanisms in which heat treatment improves mitochondrial function, and 3) test the efficacy, safety, and potential for heat treatment to improve sensory dysfunction in human patients with prediabetes.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Terminated

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
3

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Kansas
      • Kansas City, Kansas, United States, 66160
        • University of Kansas Medical Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

45 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion criteria:

  1. both males and females,
  2. ages 45-75,
  3. have suspected or diagnosed prediabetes with or without neuropathy (to be confirmed at pre-intervention evaluation).

Exclusion criteria:

  1. skin conditions, circulatory insufficiency, or open wounds in the leg that would interfere with healing from a biopsy;
  2. stroke or other significant nervous system pathology;
  3. lidocaine allergy;
  4. anticipated difficulty with blood clotting due to disorder or use of a blood thinner such as Coumadin, Xarelto, or Eliquis;
  5. use of any medication used to treat abnormal blood glucose such as Metformin;
  6. body weight > 350 lbs.;
  7. history of anemia or vitamin b12 deficiency;
  8. clinical anemia (hematocrit <32 for women, <36 for men);
  9. abnormal SPEP result;
  10. history of cancer or chemotherapy treatment;
  11. current or recent use (within the last 6 months) of artificial fingernails / nail enhancements that would interfere with quantitative sensory testing;
  12. no special classes of subjects such as fetuses, neonates, pregnant women, prisoners, institutionalized individuals, non-English speaking individuals, or other who may be considered vulnerable populations will be included in this study.

Withdrawal/Termination criteria: Prediabetes will be determined using the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Diabetes Management Guidelines. The subject will meet the criteria for a diagnosis of pre-diabetes if the subject has one or more positive test(s) for either A1c (5.7-6.4%), fasting glucose (100-125 mg/dl), or 2-hr oral glucose tolerance test (140-199 mg/dl). If at pre-intervention evaluation, the subject does not meet the criteria for prediabetes (lower than the above-mentioned range), meets the ADA criteria for diabetes (higher than the above-mentioned range), the subject will be considered a screen fail and will not progress to skin biopsy or intervention.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Heat Therapy Treatment
This study will recruit subjects to participate in heat therapy treatment at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC). After pre-screening, informed consent, and enrollment, all subjects will have baseline laboratory assessments as well as an examination for neuropathy and a lower distal leg biopsy (3mm). Subjects will complete 12 heat therapy treatments over the course of 4 weeks. Within 24-48 hours after the last heat therapy experience, post-treatment laboratory assessments as well as an examination for neuropathy and a lower distal leg biopsy (3mm) will be performed.
Behavioral: Heat Therapy
Subjects will undergo 12 hot water immersions of 40.5 degrees Celsius for approximately 45 minutes per session over 4 weeks. Subjects will be immersed up to the shoulder in a 40°C hot tub until rectal temperature (Tre) increases by 1°C (~20 minutes). Subjects will then remain in the water bath submerged to waist level to maintain Tre between 38.5 and 39.0°C for another 30 minutes (approx. total time submerged ~50 minutes). Following hot water immersion, subjects will be monitored for another 10 min, or until Tre falls below 38.5°C. Core temperature will be monitored using either 1) a rectal probe with sterile disposable sheaths or 2) a sterile disposable rectal thermistor probe (401 A/C, Advanced Industrial Systems, Inc., Harrods Creek, KY) to be inserted ~1 inch past the anal sphincter (inserted by participant). Heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored throughout the treatment. Subjects will be continually monitored and removed from the hot bath if Tre exceeds 39.5°C.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG)
Time Frame: At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)
The study team will measure fasting blood glucose at baseline and post-intervention.
At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)
Change in 2-hr Glucose
Time Frame: At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)
The study team will measure 2-hr Glucose at baseline and post-intervention. To complete the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), the participant will drink a sweet, concentrated solution of glucose (Azer Scientific Glucola, 75 g) within 5 minutes. Afterwards, the participant will wait 2-hrs and blood will be drawn to test glucose and insulin levels.
At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)
Change in Intraepidermal Nerve Fibers (IENF)
Time Frame: At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)
The study team will count intraepidermal nerve fibers at baseline and post-intervention.
At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) Scores
Time Frame: At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)
Pressure pain sensitivity is measured by the Multimodal Automated Sensory Testing (MAST) System (measured at the thumbnail). It yields a pressure pain threshold value measured in kg/cm2.
At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)
Change in Concentration of Heat Shock Protein 72
Time Frame: At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)
Serum levels of heat shock proteins (HSP72) will be measured via Western blots and Elisa assays in serum at baseline and post-intervention.
At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)
Change in Concentration of Heat Shock Protein 25
Time Frame: At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)
Serum levels of heat shock proteins (HSP25) will be measured via Western blots and Elisa assays in serum at baseline and post-intervention.
At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)
Change in Concentration of Heat Shock Protein Transcription Factor 1
Time Frame: At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)
Serum levels of heat shock protein transcription factor (HSF1) will be measured via Western blots and Elisa assays in serum at baseline and post-intervention.
At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)
Utah Early Neuropathy Scale (UENS)
Time Frame: At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)
The Utah Early Neuropathy Scale (UENS) is a physical examination scale specific to early sensory predominant polyneuropathy. The UENS emphasizes severity and spatial distribution of pin (sharp) sensation loss in the foot and leg and focuses less on motor weakness. The UENS includes five subscales: motor examination (4), pin sensation (24), allodynia/hyperesthesia (2), large fiber sensation(8) and deep tendon reflexes (4). The UENS total score ranges from 0-42, with a low score indicating a normal neurological exam and a higher score indicating neuropathy.
At baseline and post-intervention (~4-5 weeks after first visit)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of Kansas Medical Center

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Paige Geiger, PhD, University of Kansas Medical Center

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
July 27, 2020

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
July 11, 2022

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
July 11, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 27, 2021

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 27, 2021

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
October 7, 2021

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
March 25, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
December 21, 2024

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
December 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • STUDY00143811

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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