Treating Stress and Anxiety in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

January 24, 2024 updated by: Soovu Labs Inc.

Treating Stress and Anxiety in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Using a Combination of TRPV-1 Channel and C-tactile Fiber Activation With Measurement of Oxytocin and Cortisol Levels

CT fibers are found in the skin of most mammals and project to the insular cortex. Stimulation of CT fibers by light touch causes a release of oxytocin and is associated with feelings of comfort and wellbeing. Peripheral TRPV-1 channels are important in pain transmission and modulation of the stress response likely through the central release of oxytocin and are stimulated by heat. In Phase 1 investigators will test stimulation of TRPV1 channels and CT fibers in human subjects to correlate the lab findings with subjective human responses and test whether stimulation of CT fibers and TRPV-1 channels reduce anxiety and stress in subjects who suffer from AUD. Aim 1 and 2. We will define the optimal parameters for CT fiber stimulation for force, temperature, and body location. We will perform similar testing for peripheral thermal stimulation (TRPV-1) using our commercially available heating pods. Parameters tested will include the optimal body location, number of heating pods (2-4) and temperature of pods. In Aim 3 investigators will simultaneously apply both CT fiber and thermal stimulation in a proof of concept study. The experimental group will receive active CT fiber and thermal stimulation and the control group non-physiologic placebo stimulation. Subjects with a history of AUD will be randomized into control versus experimental groups and undergo stress using a validated mental calculation stressors. Stress, cravings, and anxiety will be measured using standardized assessments, and investigators will measure salivary oxytocin and cortisol levels, potentially biomarkers.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

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.

Detailed Description

36 subjects with a history of AUD within the past six months will be recruited for this study. Subjects will be randomized into three groups. Group 1 receives an active heating device and placebo c-tactile fiber stimulation. Group 2 active c tactile fiber stimulation and placebo heating device. Group 3 receives active c tactile fiber stimulation and an active heating device. All subjects will have baseline labs drawn, then undergo 10 minutes of experimental stimulation according to group number 1,2 or 3,After 10 minutes, subjects will be given a validated experimental stressor that takes approximately 15 minutes. During this time, subjects will also receive the experimental stimulation per their experimental group After the experimental stress is concluded, stimulation will continue for an additional 5 minutes. Oxytocin and cortisol via salivary samples will be collected throughout and at the conclusion of the trial. Subjects will be followed for one hour post trial. Both laboratory testing and assessment measures will be repeated at 30 and 60 minutes post experimental treatment. Assessment measures include the VAS-A, the PROMIS anxiety short form, and the desires for alcohol questionnaire. The active placebo is thermal stimulation at 37°C over the trapezius using the same number of heating pods. Placebo CT stimulation will occur by placing the von Frey filaments, which provide two standard deviations less than the optimal pressure. Subjects will not be informed about which group they were randomized into.

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 (Estimated)

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.
36

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.
  • Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.
  • Name: charles chabal, MD
  • Phone Number: 12065794910
  • Email: Chuck@Soovu.com

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Washington
      • Seattle, Washington, United States, 98109
        • Soovu Labs Inbc.

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

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • A history of AUD within the past six months

Exclusion Criteria:

Unstable medical or psychological status

-

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: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Sequential Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

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.
Active Comparator: Active heat and placebo c tactile stimulation
Subjects will receive an active heating device and a sham c tactile stimulation device.
Device: active heat
Users receive an active Soovu heating pod(s).
Device: Sham c tactile fiber stimulation
Hair brushes that do not activate c tactile fibers
Active Comparator: Placebo heat and active c tactile stimulation
Subjects will receive an active c tactile stimulation device and a sham heating device.
Drug: Active c tactile fiber stimulation
Hair brushes that activate c tactile fibers
Device: sham heat
A Soovu heating pod(s) in the subtherapeutic temperature range
Active Comparator: Active heat and active c tactile stimulation
Subjects will receive an active c tactile stimulation device and an active heating device.
Device: active heat
Users receive an active Soovu heating pod(s).
Drug: Active c tactile fiber stimulation
Hair brushes that activate c tactile fibers

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
Anxiety rating
Time Frame: at baseline and every 15 minutes during the study and for 90 minutes post study
Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System anxiety short form, 0-10 with 10 meaning more anxiety and 0 no anxiety
at baseline and every 15 minutes during the study and for 90 minutes post study
anxiety level
Time Frame: at baseline and every 15 minutes during the study and for 90 minutes post study
Visual analogue scale for anxiety. 0-10 with 10 meaning more anxiety and 0 no anxiety
at baseline and every 15 minutes during the study and for 90 minutes post study
desires for alcohol questionnaire
Time Frame: at baseline and every 30 minutes during the study and for 90 minutes post study
desires for alcohol questionnaire
at baseline and every 30 minutes during the study and for 90 minutes post study

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
Oxytocin
Time Frame: Baseline and every 15 minutes during the study and for 90 minutes post study
oxytocin levels
Baseline and every 15 minutes during the study and for 90 minutes post study
cortisol levels
Time Frame: Baseline and every 15 minutes during the study and for 90 minutes post study
salivary cortisol
Baseline and every 15 minutes during the study and for 90 minutes post study

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.
Soovu Labs Inc.

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: charles chabal, MD, soovu labs

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Helpful Links

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 (Estimated)

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 15, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

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.
December 30, 2024

Study Completion (Estimated)

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.
March 30, 2025

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).
January 15, 2024

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.
January 24, 2024

First Posted (Estimated)

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.
January 25, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

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.
January 25, 2024

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.
January 24, 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.
January 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

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.
  • Soovu01-2024

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

All de-identified data records will be available upon request.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

At study conclusion and for 5 years

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • SAP
  • ICF
  • CSR

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

Yes

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

Yes

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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