PoNS Clinical Experience Program (TBI)



Status:Recruiting
Conditions:Brain Cancer, Neurology
Therapuetic Areas:Neurology, Oncology
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - Any
Updated:3/22/2019
Start Date:June 30, 2018
End Date:November 30, 2019
Contact:Amanda Luff
Email:amanda.luff@osumc.edu
Phone:614-293-2443

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An Open-label Study of Safety and Effectiveness of the Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS®) Treatment for Subjects With a Chronic Balance Deficit Due to Mild-to-moderate Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

- Brief Summary: Prospective, cohort, open-label study. The cohort consists of people who
have a chronic balance dysfunction due to a mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI).
All participants will participate in a 14-week PoNS Treatment protocol - a combination of
symptom specific physical exercises and repeated use of the PoNS device.

Subjects who meet the initial screening entrance criteria will be scheduled for a baseline
assessment to evaluate balance and gait. Subjects will then begin the PoNS Treatment program
and re-perform some assessments at 2, 5 and 14 weeks evaluating their functional
improvements.


Criteria for Inclusion/Exclusion:

Subjects must present with a chronic balance deficit due to mild-to-moderate TBI. However,
other potentially related symptoms, such as gait disturbance, mild to moderate recurrent
headaches, sleep, memory, attention, and cognitive deficits, will be noted on the data
collection form at screening and each subsequent evaluation.

Inclusion Criteria: Subjects must meet all of the following criteria to be included in the
study:

1. At least 18 years of age, inclusive, at the time of screening.

2. Acceptable results (as determined by the investigator) of a full history and physical
performed or supervised by the investigator at each site. This will include a careful
examination of the tongue and oral cavity for any abnormalities. History should
include the nature and duration of any prior physical therapy program the subject may
have participated in to address the balance and/or gait symptoms of their TBI. Prior
participation in therapy is not a prerequisite for enrollment in the program

3. Documentation on the history of a qualifying TBI, mild to moderate in severity. For
reference, the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch (AFHSB) definitions of mild and
moderate TBI will be used. The definitions are as follows:

- Mild TBI: Confused or disoriented state which lasts less than 24 hours; or loss
of consciousness for up to 30 minutes, or memory loss lasting less than 24 hours.
Excludes penetrating TBI.

- Moderate TBI: Confused or disoriented state which lasts more than 24 hours;
and/or loss of consciousness for more than 30 minutes but less than 24 hours, or
memory loss lasting greater than 24 hours but less than seven days; or meets
criteria for Mild TBI except an abnormal CT scan is present. Excludes penetrating
TBI.

The investigator will ascertain whether the prior medical records and information
collected during the clinical interview are sufficiently detailed to support the
classification of the TBI.

4. Acceptable results from within the last three (3) months as determined by the site
investigator of basic standard blood work to include CBC, TSH, HbA1C, Liver and Kidney
panels, and a 12-lead ECG with automated reporting capability. Any abnormal result
that is judged clinically significant by the investigator will be communicated to the
subject and if treated by their personal physician and deemed recovered, the subjects
may be reconsidered for inclusion. If the investigator is uncertain he or she will
communicate with the Sponsor's Medical Officer.

5. If female, the subject is not pregnant, not breastfeeding and has a negative pregnancy
test prior to receipt of the PoNS device

- Note: Pregnancy testing will be repeated at end-of-study (EOS) (i.e., end of at-home
period).

6. If female is of childbearing potential, the subject agrees to use adequate
contraception from screening and throughout the study period.

A female of non-childbearing potential is defined as a subject who is postmenopausal
(continuous amenorrhea for 12 months) or surgically sterile (defined as bilateral
tubal ligation, bilateral oophorectomy, or hysterectomy).

7. Balance disorder due to a mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI), as indicated
by the Berg Balance Scale with a score no greater than 50.

8. At least three (3) months post most recent TBI at the time of screening.

9. Stable neurologic status, as determined from participant's medical records and the
study physician's opinion based on no new or changing symptoms.

10. Qualifying MRI report to be entered into the data collection form. For all
participants who do not have a qualifying MRI, a new MRI will be obtained.

11. Ambulatory and able to walk continuously over-ground or on a treadmill for 20 minutes,
level grade (no inclination) and at any speed, with support, if needed.

12. Able to understand the study procedures and give informed consent.

13. Willing and able to adhere to the study schedule.

14. Willing to complete a neuropsychological evaluation if deemed necessary by the
investigator prior to inclusion in the study.

Exclusion Criteria: Subjects meeting any of the following criteria will be excluded from
the study:

1. Medical findings from screening history, physical examination or radiological test
that the investigator deems clinically significant or that would otherwise impact
patient safety or data integrity.

2. Planned use or use of any investigational product (i.e., not approved by the FDA),
pharmaceutical or device, within 30 days preceding receipt of the PoNS device and
during the entire period of subject participation.

3. Any previous use of the Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS)

4. Balance or gait deficits due to lower extremity injury or neurological condition other
than TBI.

5. Severe TBI defined as an injury with a confused or disoriented state which lasts more
than 24 hours; and/or loss of consciousness for more than 24 hours, or memory loss for
more than seven days.

6. Penetrating brain injury, refractory subdural hematoma, or craniotomy unrelated to the
resolution of qualifying traumatic brain injury. Investigator discretion may be
exercised on an individual case where surgery was performed that did not remove or
significantly alter brain tissue (e.g., to treat a brain aneurysm). Surgery must have
been performed at least 6 months prior to screening and a CT scan must be provided to
demonstrate no large residual lesions.

7. Oral health problems active at the time of recruitment. Any history of oral health
problems (e.g., gum disease or cankers) will be noted on the data collection form.

8. Oral surgery within 3 months of screening.

9. History of oral cancer.

10. Non-removable metal orthodontic devices (e.g., braces) or oral cavity piercings that
could interfere with PoNS use.

11. Presence of metallic implant or other MRI-incompatible device.

12. Known allergy to gold, nickel or copper.

13. Blood pressure abnormalities considered clinically significant by the study physician.
If the subject has a systolic blood pressure of <100 mmHg, they will be evaluated for
orthostatic hypotension and if the investigator deems this a risk for the subject's
health or safety they will be excluded. If systolic blood pressure >160 mm Hg (average
of 3 measurements) at screening and the subject is on medications, the subject will be
re-evaluated once the treating physician deems them to have stable blood pressure.

- Note: BP should be measured seated, legs uncrossed, after resting for 5 minutes,
with measurements taken 2 minutes apart. If the first two readings differ by >5 mm Hg,
additional measurements should be taken and averaged.

14. Use of Coumadin or any other anticoagulant other than aspirin in the last six months.

15. Untreated or undiagnosed diabetes - the subject will be referred to their family
physician and may be re-evaluated at a later date. Undiagnosed diabetes is defined as
an HbA1C taken during screening above the upper limit of normal at the study site.

16. Diabetic neuropathy.

17. Active or recent (within 1 year) treatment for any cancer, excluding basal cell
carcinoma.

18. Neurological disorders other than those attributed to the primary diagnosis, (e.g.,
neurodegenerative diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease (PD),
Alzheimer's disease (AD) or other dementia, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

19. History of epileptic or other seizure disorders.

20. Known ischemic heart disease (angina, stent, history of myocardial infarction, >70%
stenosis or cardiovascular imaging) and/or history or atrial or ventricular
arrhythmias with or without syncope. Any abnormality on the screening ECG will be
referred to the subject's family physician for evaluation and clearance and then the
subject can be re-evaluated for inclusion in the study.

21. Any other untreated or unstable acute or chronic, clinically significant medical
condition for which the subject is currently undergoing treatment (e.g., autoimmune or
immunodeficient disorders) and that the investigator deems unsuitable for inclusion.

22. Use of a lower extremity biomechanical prosthetic with the exception of a splint to
address foot drop.

23. Chronic use of any potentially interfering drug such as a neuroactive (ototoxic,
anti-seizure, anti-convulsive) medication, or chronic/PRN use of any medication that
would, in the opinion of the investigator, compromise the subject's ability to
function or perform the study activities.

24. Addition of and/or major change in type or dosage of any prescription medication
within 3 months prior to receipt of the PoNS device at the time of screening, subject
to physician discretion.

25. Active alcoholism documented by the investigator at the time of screening. The
investigator will have the right to exclude subject participation if, in their
opinion, the subject seems intoxicated at time of screening and/or during any study
appointment.

26. History of drug abuse as documented by the investigator at the time of screening. The
investigator will have the right to exclude subject participation if, in their
opinion, the subject seems intoxicated at time of screening or presentation for
treatment

27. Recent (6 months) history of smokeless tobacco use (i.e., chewing tobacco, oral
tobacco, spit or spitting tobacco, dip, chew, snuff*) (*NCI definition)

- Note: Cigarette, cigar, pipe, and/or e-cigarette use is not exclusionary

28. Any reason, considered by the principal investigator or designee to preclude subject
enrollment in the study that might represent a threat to health, safety, or an
inability to comply with the study protocol.

29. Subject is incompatible with the device.

30. Subject is currently in a focused physical rehabilitation program for balance or gait
symptoms resulting from their TBI and has not been deemed by their treating clinician
to have reached a plateau.
We found this trial at
1
site
281 W. Lane Ave
Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 292-6446
Ohio State University The Ohio State University’s main Columbus campus is one of America’s largest...
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Columbus, OH
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