Use of a Non-medicated Plaster in Chronic Lumbar Back Pain. (CERFIT)

November 25, 2020 updated by: Matteo Ricci, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona
The investigator assessed 54 patients with chronic lumbar back pain treated with FIT Therapy (far infrared technology) patch. The criteria for inclusion were chronic lumbar back pain due to overstress or to contracture and patients over 30 years old. Patients with tumors, infections, neurological and metabolic diseases were excluded. Three different types of FIT Therapy patches (F4, F3 and the placebo) were used according to the different power of action. The patches were self-removed after 5 days. At day 8 new ones were applied for other five days and at day 14 patients were dismissed. Every single patient was assessed during the study using the VAS pain scale, the Roland Morris questionnaire for quality of life and the range of motion (ROM).

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

First and foremost, the investigators obtained the ethical committee approval, then 54 patients were enrolled since May 2019 to November 2019, at the AOUI (Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata) Verona. Prospective analysis in a 3-arm, randomized double-blind and placebo-controlled study was performed to assess the effect of FIT Therapy patches on the chronic lumbar spine pain and on the ROM.

The FIT Therapy patch (D. FENSTEC s.r.l. Altavilla Vicentina, Italy) is a medical device class 1 which mechanism of action is through the ability of biominerals to reflect the far infrared radiation (FIR).

Normally the human body temperature would dissipate regular far infrared radiations but, thanks to the FIT Therapy (Far Infrared Technology), these waves are reflected and allowed to reach deeper areas in the human body (wavelength spectrum is 4-21 µm with a denser concentration around 11 µm).

Every FIT device act as a mirror and they are able to induce an antalgic effect simply thanks to this biophysical process, therefore without releasing any active ingredient or creating a thermic shock.

The plasters are made of 100% polypropylene non-woven fabric, an acrylic adhesive mass and a mix of titanium dioxide printed on. This particular mix in powder form is characterized by particles sizes above 100 nm. The intrinsic properties of the FIT technology are due to the mix of titanium dioxides that reflect the FIR emitted by the human body.

Three different plasters were used: a placebo (without any biomineral, therefore with no reflectance ability); an "F3" patch and an "F4" one, characterized by different power of action (F4 has a broader spectrum of refrigency than F3). The 3 plasters presented no difference in size, color and shape.

Patients were subdivided in 3 randomized groups.The Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) and the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) were used. The Range of Motion (ROM) evaluation consisted of flexion and extension, lateral bending and rotation of the lumbar spine.

The trial consisted of a total of 14 days for each patient. At day 0, during the first clinical encounter, patients were enrolled by signing an informed consent. Still during the encounter, the lumbar spine ROM was measured, the VAS and the RMDQ administered. Only after all these necessary steps the first patch was applied. Every patient was given a RMDQ and a journal, which had to be updated daily, and at the same time every day, with the pain level experienced and any adverse effect to the FIT Therapy patch. At day 5 the patch was self-removed and the RMDQ given during the first encounter filled. The second clinical encounter was at day 8. The patients' ROM and VAS were tested for the second time and a new FIT Therapy patch was applied. At day 13 the FIT Therapy patch was dismissed and a second RMDQ filled at home. The last clinical encounter was held at day 14 and once again all 54 patients' ROM and VAS were assessed. Finally, the daily journal was collected, and patients were asked if any other pain medication was self-administered during the entirety of the tests.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

54

Phase

  • 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

  • Italy
      • Verona, Italy, 37126
        • Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria integrata

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

Ages Eligible for Study

30 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria::

  • chronic lumbar spine pain due to muscle contractures or over-use
  • a signed informed consent
  • patients 30 years of age or older.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • infections
  • neoplastic masses
  • neuropathies
  • metabolic disorders triggering the lumbar pain

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: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Placebo Comparator: Placebo
The Placebo is a Patch identical to the F3 and F4 patches in aesthetics but without any biomineral, therefore with no reflectance ability.
Device: The FIT Therapy patch (D. FENSTEC s.r.l. Altavilla Vicentina, Italy) is a medical device class 1

The FIT Therapy patch (D. FENSTEC s.r.l. Altavilla Vicentina, Italy) is a medical device class 1 which mechanism of action is through the ability of biominerals to reflect the far infrared radiation (FIR). Normally the human body temperature would dissipate regular far infrared radiations but, thanks to the FIT Therapy (Far Infrared Technology), these waves are reflected and allowed to reach deeper areas in the human body (wavelength spectrum is 4-21 µm with a denser concentration around 11 µm).

Every FIT device act as a mirror and they are able to induce an antalgic effect simply thanks to this biophysical process, therefore without releasing any active ingredient or creating a thermic shock.

The plasters are made of 100% polypropylene non-woven fabric, an acrylic adhesive mass and a mix of titanium dioxide printed on. This particular mix in powder form is characterized by particles sizes above 100 nm.
Active Comparator: F3 Patch
The F3 is a patch made of 100% polypropylene non-woven fabric, an acrylic adhesive mass and a mix of titanium dioxide printed on with a refringency spectrum 2 m x kg
Device: The FIT Therapy patch (D. FENSTEC s.r.l. Altavilla Vicentina, Italy) is a medical device class 1

The FIT Therapy patch (D. FENSTEC s.r.l. Altavilla Vicentina, Italy) is a medical device class 1 which mechanism of action is through the ability of biominerals to reflect the far infrared radiation (FIR). Normally the human body temperature would dissipate regular far infrared radiations but, thanks to the FIT Therapy (Far Infrared Technology), these waves are reflected and allowed to reach deeper areas in the human body (wavelength spectrum is 4-21 µm with a denser concentration around 11 µm).

Every FIT device act as a mirror and they are able to induce an antalgic effect simply thanks to this biophysical process, therefore without releasing any active ingredient or creating a thermic shock.

The plasters are made of 100% polypropylene non-woven fabric, an acrylic adhesive mass and a mix of titanium dioxide printed on. This particular mix in powder form is characterized by particles sizes above 100 nm.
Active Comparator: F4 Patch
The F4 is a patch made of 100% polypropylene non-woven fabric, an acrylic adhesive mass and a mix of titanium dioxide printed on with a refringency spectrum of 4 m x kg
Device: The FIT Therapy patch (D. FENSTEC s.r.l. Altavilla Vicentina, Italy) is a medical device class 1

The FIT Therapy patch (D. FENSTEC s.r.l. Altavilla Vicentina, Italy) is a medical device class 1 which mechanism of action is through the ability of biominerals to reflect the far infrared radiation (FIR). Normally the human body temperature would dissipate regular far infrared radiations but, thanks to the FIT Therapy (Far Infrared Technology), these waves are reflected and allowed to reach deeper areas in the human body (wavelength spectrum is 4-21 µm with a denser concentration around 11 µm).

Every FIT device act as a mirror and they are able to induce an antalgic effect simply thanks to this biophysical process, therefore without releasing any active ingredient or creating a thermic shock.

The plasters are made of 100% polypropylene non-woven fabric, an acrylic adhesive mass and a mix of titanium dioxide printed on. This particular mix in powder form is characterized by particles sizes above 100 nm.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
The changes induced by the different types of FIT Therapy patches (placebo, "F3" and "F4"), in the pain level due to lower back pain, measured on the VAS scale.
Time Frame: The VAS scale results were compared, between the different patches, at day 0, 5, 8 and 14.
VAS scale (Visual Analogic Scale)
The VAS scale results were compared, between the different patches, at day 0, 5, 8 and 14.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Changes in the Range Of Motion (ROM)
Time Frame: The degrees of motion were absessed at day 0, day 8 and day 14
Degrees of flexion-extension and lateral bending of the patient.
The degrees of motion were absessed at day 0, day 8 and day 14

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Changes in lifestyle.
Time Frame: The results of the RMDQ were absessed at day 0, day 8 and day 14
Evaluated on the median values of the RMDQ (Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire)
The results of the RMDQ were absessed at day 0, day 8 and day 14

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Matteo Ricci, Professor, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona

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.

General Publications

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)

August 1, 2019

Primary Completion (Actual)

October 15, 2019

Study Completion (Actual)

October 30, 2019

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

October 17, 2020

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 25, 2020

First Posted (Actual)

December 3, 2020

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

December 3, 2020

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 25, 2020

Last Verified

November 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2128CESC

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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