Radiofrequency and Hybrid Fractional Laser for Vaginal Rejuvenation

NCT03316950 | Completed Results FDA Device

• 1 other identifier: STU 012017-006
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 52
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This is a single-center, randomized, prospective study designed to evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency and hybrid fractional laser for vaginal rejuvenation. 120 subjects will be screened with 100 undergoing a three-part treatment of the vulvovaginal area IntraGen RF unit, IntraGen RF unit placebo, DiVa HFL unit, or DiVa HFL unit placebo. These treatments will be spaced one month apart and last about 25 minutes each. Each subject will be screened, undergo testing at baseline, and will be followed conservatively with no further therapy until they reach 6 months after the initiation of the designated treatment. At that time, all subjects will undergo subjective and objective testing. Those in the treatment group will be followed to 9 and 12 months after the initiation of treatment with appropriate analysis. Those in the placebo group will be provided a three-part treatment of the vulvovaginal area with the IntraGen RF unit and DiVA HFL unit. These treatments will be spaced one month apart and last about 25 minutes each. Six months after receiving three treatments of the dual therapy these patients will undergo subjective and objective testing. The primary outcome measure is improvement in vulvovaginal symptoms measured by the validated Vulvovaginal Symptoms Questionnaire. Data obtained from each investigation will be recorded in a password-protected digital spreadsheet, REDCap database and descriptive statistics will be obtained.

Conditions

Vaginal Atrophy

Keywords

postmenopause; rejuvenation; radiofrequency; diva

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Vulvovaginal Symptoms Questionnaire

  VSQ is a 21-item validated survey designed to assess postmenopausal quality-of-life parameters, namely vulvovaginal symptoms, emotions, life and sexual impact. Min: 0; Max: 21 Higher score would indicate greater number of symptoms.

  Baseline, 3 Month Post- treatments and 6 Month Post Treatments

• Vaginal Laxity Questionnaire

  The VLQ is a Likert scale with seven responses regarding self-reported vaginal laxity; answer option range from "Very Loose" to "Very Tight". Min: 1; Max: 7 A higher score would indicate "Very Tight" response provided by the subject.

  Baseline, 3 Months Post Treatments and 6 Months Post Treatments

Secondary Outcomes (9)

• Perceived Changes in Vaginal Laxity as Measured by Zimmern Probe at 3 Months Post Treatment

  Baseline and 3 Months Post Treatment

• Perceived Changes in Vaginal Laxity as Measured by Zimmern Probe at 6 Months Post Treatment

  Baseline and 6 Months Post Treatment

• Urogenital Distress Short Form (UDI-6)

  Baseline, 3 Months Post Treatments and 6 Months Post Treatments

• Incontinence Impact Questionnaire Short Form (IIQ-7)

  Baseline, 3 Months Post Treatments and 6 Months Post Treatments

• Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)

  Baseline, 3 Months Post Treatments and 6 Months Post Treatments

Study Arms (4)

IntraGen RF

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients will undergo treatment with radiofrequency device, using the device's standard protocol. Patients will have 3 treatments space one month apart. Each treatment will be a total of 20 minutes for internal treatment only. Prior to treatment, the Zimmern probe will be used to measure vaginal wall elasticity and a 0.33mm biopsy will be taken. At each visit, the Zimmern probe will be used. Biopsies will be taken 3 months after final treatment.

Device: IntraGen RF

DiVA

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients randomized into the DiVA treatment group will receive treatment per DiVA protocol. Patients will have a total of 3 treatments, space 1 month apart. Each treatment will last approximately 10 minutes. Prior to treatment, the Zimmern probe will be used to measure vaginal wall elasticity and a 0.33mm biopsy will be taken. At each visit, the Zimmern probe will be used. Biopsies will be taken 3 months after final treatment.

Device: DiVA

Placebo Arm

SHAM COMPARATOR

Patients randomized into the Placebo arm will include participants from the DiVa PlaceboGroup and IntraGen Placebo Group combined and will receive treatment based on the DiVA Sham and IntraGen Sham protocols. DiVa Placebo: patients will undergo a three-part placebo treatment, spaced 1 month apart (+/- 10 days) of the vulvovaginal area. The vaginal HFL handpiece will be inserted into the vaginal canal but sub-therapeutic energy will not be delivered to the tissue. IntraGen Placebo: patients will undergo a three-part placebo treatment, space 1 month apart (+/- 10 days) of the vulvovaginal area. This will be achieved through application of the probe, but with applying sub-therapeutic energy to the tissue.

Device: Placebo (DIVA/IntraGen combined)

Dual Treatment

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients previously randomized into the DiVA Sham and IntraGen Sham groups will be placed in the Dual Treatment group. Patients will have a total of 3 dual treatments, spaced 1 month apart. Each treatment will last approximately 20 minutes. Prior to dual treatments, the Zimmern probe will be used to measure vaginal wall elasticity and a 0.33mm biopsy will be taken. At each visit, the Zimmern probe will be used. Biopsies will be taken at follow up visits.

Device: IntraGen RF; Device: DiVA

Interventions

IntraGen RF DEVICE

IntraGen is a radiofrequency vaginal rejuvenation device FDA approved for use in dermatological and general surgical procedures for electrocoagulation and hemostasis. The hand piece is a disposable monopolar applicator that is used to apply energy internally and externally.

Dual Treatment; IntraGen RF

DiVA DEVICE

DiVA device utilizes a hybrid fractional laser technology in a wand hand piece. The hand piece is covered by a single use strengthened quartz dilator that allows the hand piece to rotate and provide treatment in a uniform manner.

DiVA; Dual Treatment

Placebo (DIVA/IntraGen combined) DEVICE

(DIVA/IntraGen combined) IntraGen RF: IntraGen is a radiofrequency vaginal rejuvenation device FDA approved for use in dermatological and general surgical procedures for electrocoagulation and hemostasis. The hand piece is a disposable monopolar applicator that is used to apply energy internally and externally. DiVA: DiVA device utilizes a hybrid fractional laser technology in a wand hand piece. The hand piece is covered by a single use strengthened quartz dilator that allows the hand piece to rotate and provide treatment in a uniform manner.

Placebo Arm

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Women should be between 40 and 65 years of age
• Women should be post-menopausal
• Women should be amenorrheic for at least 12 months
• Postmenopausal women presenting with one or more of the following:
• Vulvar itching
• Vulvar burning or stinging
• Vulvar pain
• Vulvar irritation
• Vulvar dryness
• Discharge from subject's vulva or vagina
• Odor from subject's vulva or vagina

You may not qualify if:

• Unable to commit to future appointments within one year
• Planning on moving away from Dallas within one year
• History of other energy-based vaginal therapy within one year
• Vaginal hormone replacement therapy must have a one month washout period prior to treatment and discontinued use for duration of study, systemic replacement is not excluded
• Prior labiaplasty, or vaginal injections of fat or fillers within 6 months
• Prior anti-incontinence surgery in the last 12 months
• Urinary incontinence requiring more than 2 pads/day
• Clinically significant pelvic organ prolapse (POP)
• Urinary tract infection in the past 3 months
• Unstable diabetes
• Ongoing chemotherapy
• Immunodeficiency status (steroid intake, ongoing chemotherapy)
• Diffuse pain syndrome or chronic pain requiring daily narcotics
• Chronic vaginitis including bacterial vaginosis, HPV, herpes, or other active STI
• Recent abnormal Papanicolaou test result

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center: lead
• American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States

Location

Related Publications (7)

• Alinsod RM. Transcutaneous temperature controlled radiofrequency for orgasmic dysfunction. Lasers Surg Med. 2016 Sep;48(7):641-5. doi: 10.1002/lsm.22537. Epub 2016 May 19.

  PMID: 27197701 BACKGROUND

• Millheiser LS, Pauls RN, Herbst SJ, Chen BH. Radiofrequency treatment of vaginal laxity after vaginal delivery: nonsurgical vaginal tightening. J Sex Med. 2010 Sep;7(9):3088-95. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01910.x.

  PMID: 20584127 BACKGROUND

• Sekiguchi Y, Utsugisawa Y, Azekosi Y, Kinjo M, Song M, Kubota Y, Kingsberg SA, Krychman ML. Laxity of the vaginal introitus after childbirth: nonsurgical outpatient procedure for vaginal tissue restoration and improved sexual satisfaction using low-energy radiofrequency thermal therapy. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2013 Sep;22(9):775-81. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2012.4123. Epub 2013 Aug 16.

  PMID: 23952177 BACKGROUND

• Zerbinati N, Serati M, Origoni M, Candiani M, Iannitti T, Salvatore S, Marotta F, Calligaro A. Microscopic and ultrastructural modifications of postmenopausal atrophic vaginal mucosa after fractional carbon dioxide laser treatment. Lasers Med Sci. 2015 Jan;30(1):429-36. doi: 10.1007/s10103-014-1677-2. Epub 2014 Nov 20.

  PMID: 25410301 BACKGROUND

• Paul M, Blugerman G, Kreindel M, Mulholland RS. Three-dimensional radiofrequency tissue tightening: a proposed mechanism and applications for body contouring. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2011 Feb;35(1):87-95. doi: 10.1007/s00266-010-9564-0. Epub 2010 Sep 11.

  PMID: 20835826 BACKGROUND

• Peet J. Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Hybrid Fractional 2940 nm and 1470 nm Lasers for Treatment of Vaginal Tissue: Pilot Study. [White paper].

  BACKGROUND

• Ippolito GM, Crescenze IM, Sitto H, Palanjian RR, Raza D, Barboglio Romo P, Wallace SA, Orozco Leal G, Clemens JQ, Dahm P, Gupta P. Vaginal lasers for treating stress urinary incontinence in women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2025 Jul 25;7(7):CD013643. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013643.pub2.

  PMID: 40709601 DERIVED

Results Point of Contact

• Title: Research Coordinator
• Organization: UT Southwestern

jennifer.barillas@utsouthwestern.edu

214-645-8907

Study Officials

• Jeffrey Kenkel, MD

  Chair & Professor

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Publication Agreements

• PI is Sponsor Employee: No
• Restrictive Agreement: No

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Chair

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 17, 2017
• First Posted: October 23, 2017
• Study Start: June 15, 2018
• Primary Completion: April 8, 2021
• Study Completion: April 8, 2021
• Last Updated: January 4, 2023
• Results First Posted: January 4, 2023

Record last verified: 2022-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)