
"I was delighted to take part in a clinical trial as it has the potential to really help others in the future.”
Please note - this trial is no longer recruiting patients. We hope to add results when they are available.
This trial is looking at using a device to treat dry mouth after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.
Doctors often treat head and neck cancer with radiotherapy. A side effect of this can be a dry mouth. This can be very distressing because it can change the way you talk and eat. Doctors can treat a dry mouth but the treatments are not very good and can have side effects. So they are looking for better ways.
The researchers think a new medical device could help. The device is like a clear plastic protector that fits over your lower teeth. It delivers mild electrical stimulation to the gums. The researchers hope this can increase the amount of spit (saliva) and reduce the symptoms of dry mouth.
The aims of this trial are to find out if this device can
You may be able to enter this trial if
You cannot enter this trial if
This trial will recruit 84 people from University College London Hospital and Bradford Hospital. It is a randomised trial. You will be put into 1 of 2 groups. Neither you nor your doctor can choose which group you are in. And neither of you will know which group you are in. This is called a double blind trial. People in group 1 use the active device and people in group 2 use a dummy device.
Both devices are custom made to fit. You will take it home and wear it over your lower teeth when needed. You can remove the device and store it in the container provided when you don’t need it. The team will explain to you how and when to use it. You use the device for 1 year.
Below is a picture of the device.
The researchers will ask you to write in a diary how many times a day you use the device and also once a week how dry your mouth feels. They will also ask you to fill out 3 questionnaires before you start and at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 months. They will ask about side effects and how you are feeling. This is called a quality of life study.
The researchers will also ask for a sample of saliva before and after treatment. They will compare the 2 samples to find out how well the device works. You must agree to this to take part in this trial.
You see the doctor before taking part in this trial and have some tests. These include
You go to the hospital to have the device made to fit over your teeth. When it is ready you see the doctor to make sure it fits properly. The doctor will explain when and how to use it.
You then see the doctor at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 months to measure how much saliva you make and how dry your mouth is.
The researchers don’t anticipate any problems with using the device.
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Prof Stephen Porter
NIHR Clinical Research Network: Cancer
NIHR Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) Programme
University College London (UCL)
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
"I was delighted to take part in a clinical trial as it has the potential to really help others in the future.”