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NCT03674892: INSTANT

Intranasal Neurostimulation in Ameliorating Symptoms of Neuropathic Corneal Pain

Terminated NA Results posted Last updated 24 August 2025
What this trial tests

NA trial testing TrueTear™ intranasal neurostimulator (ITN) in Cornea in 21 participants. Terminated before completion.

Timeline
28 September 2018
Primary endpoint
9 September 2022
9 September 2023

Quick facts

Lead sponsorTufts Medical Center
PhaseNA
StatusTerminated
Study typeINTERVENTIONAL
Allocationna
Designsingle group
Maskingnone
Primary purposediagnostic
Enrollment21
Start date28 September 2018
Primary completion9 September 2022
Estimated completion9 September 2023
Sites1 location across United States

Drugs / interventions tested

Conditions studied

Sponsor

Tufts Medical Center

Who can join

22 and older, any sex, with Cornea. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Results — posted to ClinicalTrials.gov

Per-arm endpoint measurements with 95% confidence intervals where reported. Source: trial results section.

Change to Overall Pain by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) After Intranasal Neurostimulator (ITN) Stimulation at Baseline Primary · immediately before and after ITN on Day 1 (baseline)

The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is a 10 cm line, with one end labeled 'no pain' (which is equivalent to a score of 0 on the numerical scale) and the other end labeled 'worst pain imaginable' (which is equivalent to a score of 10 on the numerical scale). The patient is asked to mark the scale according to the intensity of their eye pain, and the examiner measures the distance in centimeters from the 'no pain' end of the line to score the VAS. The level of discomfort/pain before and after ITN was assessed using the VAS questionnaire (0-10). The changes in overall eye pain after ITN were recorded

GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated Baseline Visit-3.81± 0.41
Change to Overall Pain by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) After Daily Intranasal Neurostimulator (ITN) Stimulation Over 45-day Period Secondary · immediately before and after ITN on Day 45

The VAS is a 10 cm line, with one end labeled 'no pain' (which is equivalent to a score of 0 on the numerical scale) and the other end labeled 'worst pain imaginable' (which is equivalent to a score of 10 on the numerical scale). The patient is asked to mark the scale according to the intensity of their eye pain, and the examiner measures the distance in centimeters or millimeters from the 'no pain' end of the line to score the VAS. The level of discomfort/pain before and after ITN was assessed using the VAS questionnaire (0-10). The changes in overall eye pain after ITN were recorded. Higher

GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated 45 Day Visit-1.58± 0.39
Change to Overall Pain by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) After Daily Intranasal Neurostimulator (ITN) Stimulation Over 90-day Period Secondary · immediately before and after ITN on Day 90

The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is a 10 cm line, with one end labeled 'no pain' (which is equivalent to a score of 0 on the numerical scale) and the other end labeled 'worst pain imaginable' (which is equivalent to a score of 10 on the numerical scale). The patient is asked to mark the scale according to the intensity of their eye pain, and the examiner measures the distance in centimeters or millimeters from the 'no pain' end of the line to score the VAS. The level of discomfort/pain before and after ITN was assessed using the VAS questionnaire (0-10). The changes in overall eye pain after IT

GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated 90 Day Visit-0.75± 0.83
Quality of Life as Measured With OPAS at Baseline Secondary · Day 1 (Baseline)

The Ocular Pain Assessment Survey (OPAS) is a multidimensional questionnaire that assesses eye pain, non-eye pain, quality of life (QoL), aggravating factors, and associated factors. The QoL section evaluates seven dimensions, with the first six graded using numerical rating scales (0-10) and the final question expressed as a percentage (0-100). Higher scores indicate severe pain and lower QoL in the QoL section of OPAS questionnaire. Ranges: 0-10 for the "Reading and/or computer use", "Driving and/or watching TV", "General Activity", "Mood", "Sleep", "Enjoying Life/ Relationship. "Time spent

Reading and/or computer use
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated Baseline Visit7.37± 0.64
Driving and/or watching tv
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated Baseline Visit6.50± 0.78
General activity
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated Baseline Visit5.52± 0.75
Mood
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated Baseline Visit7.00± 0.54
Sleep
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated Baseline Visit4.55± 0.77
Enjoying Life/Relationship
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated Baseline Visit6.65± 0.73
Time spent thinking about pain
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated Baseline Visit74.12± 6.76
Quality of Life as Measured Daily With OPAS at 45 Days Secondary · 45 days

The Ocular Pain Assessment Survey (OPAS) is a multidimensional questionnaire that assesses eye pain, non-eye pain, quality of life (QoL), aggravating factors, and associated factors. The QoL section evaluates seven dimensions, with the first six graded using numerical rating scales (0-10) and the final question expressed as a percentage (0-100). Higher scores indicate severe pain and lower QoL in the QoL section of OPAS questionnaire. Ranges: 0-10 for the "Reading and/or computer use", "Driving and/or watching TV", "General Activity", "Mood", "Sleep", "Enjoying Life/ Relationship. "Time spent

Reading and/or computer use
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated 45 Day Visit5.50± 0.85
Driving and/or watching TV
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated 45 Day Visit5.03± 0.96
General Activity
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated 45 Day Visit4.03± 0.80
Mood
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated 45 Day Visit5.42± 0.74
Sleep
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated 45 Day Visit3.64± 0.90
Enjoying Life/ Relationship
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated 45 Day Visit4.89± 0.70
Time spent thinking about pain
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated 45 Day Visit59.6± 8.91
Quality of Life as Measured Daily With OPAS at 90 Days Secondary · 90 days

The Ocular Pain Assessment Survey (OPAS) is a multidimensional questionnaire that assesses eye pain, non-eye pain, quality of life (QoL), aggravating factors, and associated factors. The QoL section evaluates seven dimensions, with the first six graded using numerical rating scales (0-10) and the final question expressed as a percentage (0-100). Higher scores indicate severe pain and lower QoL in the QoL section of OPAS questionnaire. Ranges: 0-10 for the "Reading and/or computer use", "Driving and/or watching TV", "General Activity", "Mood", "Sleep", "Enjoying Life/ Relationship. "Time spent

Reading and/or computer use
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated 90 Day Visit4.80± 1.82
Driving and/or watching TV
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated 90 Day Visit5.00± 1.92
General activity
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated 90 Day Visit2.50± 0.89
Mood
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated 90 Day Visit4.40± 1.37
Sleep
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated 90 Day Visit2.00± 1.37
Enjoying Life/ Relationship
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated 90 Day Visit4.30± 1.57
Time spent thinking about pain
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients Participated 90 Day Visit53.31± 26.01
Overall Change in Quality of Life as Measured Daily With OPAS Secondary · Baseline vs day 45 visit and Baseline vs day 90 visit

The Ocular Pain Assessment Survey (OPAS) is a multidimensional questionnaire that assesses eye pain, non-eye pain, quality of life (QoL), aggravating factors, and associated factors. The QoL section evaluates seven dimensions, with the first six graded using numerical rating scales (0-10) and the final question expressed as a percentage (0-100). Higher scores indicate severe pain and lower QoL in the QoL section of OPAS questionnaire. Percentage changes in the scores between baseline vs 45-day visit and baseline vs 90-day visit after daily intranasal neurostimulation are given below.

Reading and/or computer use
GroupValue95% CI
Baseline vs 45-day Visit-25.37± 11.39
Baseline vs 90-day Visit-34.87± 17.72
Driving and/or watching TV
GroupValue95% CI
Baseline vs 45-day Visit-22.61± 11.97
Baseline vs 90-day Visit-23.07± 19.32
General Activity
GroupValue95% CI
Baseline vs 45-day Visit-26.99± 30.92
Baseline vs 90-day Visit-54.71± 15.02
Mood
GroupValue95% CI
Baseline vs 45-day Visit-22.57± 9.20
Baseline vs 90-day Visit-37.14± 10.84
Sleep
GroupValue95% CI
Baseline vs 45-day Visit-23.95± 30.32
Baseline vs 90-day Visit-56.04± 40.44
Enjoying life/ Relationship
GroupValue95% CI
Baseline vs 45-day Visit-26.46± 13.94
Baseline vs 90-day Visit-35.33± 26.20
Time spent thinking about pain
GroupValue95% CI
Baseline vs 45-day Visit-19.56± 34.50
Baseline vs 90-day Visit-28.07± 25.72
Percent Change From Pain Level Dimension Questions of the Ocular Pain Assessment Survey (OPAS) Secondary · Baseline vs day 45 visit and Baseline vs day 90 visit

The Ocular Pain Assessment Survey (OPAS) is a multidimensional questionnaire that assesses eye pain, non-eye pain, quality of life (QoL), aggravating factors, and associated factors. Eye pain intensity was assessed using a numerical scale (0-10) for the most, least, and average pain in the past 24 hours and 2 weeks. Higher scores indicate severe pain of OPAS questionnaire. The percent changes in pain intensity between baseline vs 45-day and baseline vs 90-day are provided below.

Most eye pain in 24 hours
GroupValue95% CI
Baseline vs 45-Day Visit-31.76± 18.76
Baseline vs 90-Day Visit-54.25± 20.55
Least eye pain in 24 hours
GroupValue95% CI
Baseline vs 45-Day Visit-12.14± 22.67
Baseline vs 90-Day Visit-37.69± 25.46
Average eye pain in 24 hours
GroupValue95% CI
Baseline vs 45-Day Visit-30.43± 20.17
Baseline vs 90-Day Visit-46.08± 21.35
Most eye pain in 2 weeks
GroupValue95% CI
Baseline vs 45-Day Visit-22.89± 18.43
Baseline vs 90-Day Visit-43.73± 16.57
Least eye pain in 2 weeks
GroupValue95% CI
Baseline vs 45-Day Visit-19.75± 25.93
Baseline vs 90-Day Visit-37.50± 26.93
Average eye pain in 2 weeks
GroupValue95% CI
Baseline vs 45-Day Visit-24.77± 22.18
Baseline vs 90-Day Visit-46.90± 20.85
Overall Percent Change on Impact of Dry Eye in Everyday Life (IDEEL) Secondary · Baseline vs day 45 visit and Baseline vs day 90 visit

IDEEL Quality of Life Questionnaire is a 27-item questionnaire, designed specifically for DED and is divided into three parts. It assesses the quality of life in three aspects of life for the previous 2 weeks: daily activities, work and feelings. The quality of life is assessed on a scale of 0-5, with zero being inability to do the activity. The score is calculated between 0 - 100 with higher scores indicating a better quality of life. Percentage change in IDEEL questionnaire subheading between baseline and day 45 and baseline and day 90 were given below.

Daily Activities
GroupValue95% CI
Baseline vs 45 Day Visit16.14± 23.72
Baseline vs 90 Day Visit21.83± 17.93
Feelings
GroupValue95% CI
Baseline vs 45 Day Visit17.06± 17.38
Baseline vs 90 Day Visit40.73± 38.43
Work
GroupValue95% CI
Baseline vs 45 Day Visit46.91± 17.82
Baseline vs 90 Day Visit48.80± 40.45
Change in the Intraocular Pressure (IOP) Measured in Each Visit. Secondary · Baseline vs day 45 visit and Baseline vs day 90 visit

Intraocular pressure will be measured by an applanation tonometer used on slit lamp (Goldmann) in mmHg. Change in IOP values between baseline and 90-day is provided below. A healthy eye pressure is between 10 and 21 millimeters of mercury. The differences in intraocular pressure between the baseline and day 45 visits, as well as between the baseline and day 90 visits, are presented below.

GroupValue95% CI
Baseline vs 45 Day Visit-0.18± 1.10
Baseline vs 90 Day Visit-0.43± 0.92
Number of Participants With Adverse Events (Safety) Secondary · 90 days

For safety analyses during the study, patient-reported adverse events that developed after intranasal neurostimulation were recorded.

Migraine Attacks
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients2
Increased Eye Pain
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients1
Increased Facial Pain
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients1
Sinus Irritation and Pain
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients1
Sinus Infection
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients1
Excessive Tearing
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients1
Pain in the nose
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients2
Number of Participants With Adverse Events (Tolerability) Secondary · 90 days

Tolerability of Intranasal Neurostimulator (ITN) was evaluated by using Ocular Tolerability and Compliance Questionnaire. It assesses symptoms of discomfort in each eye after ITN use.

Eye Itching
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients2
Burning sensation
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients3
Foreign Body Sensation
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients2
Sneezing
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients2
Forehead Throbbing
GroupValue95% CI
All Patients1

Adverse events — posted to ClinicalTrials.gov

Time frame: 90 days. Reporting threshold: 0%. Adverse-event reports describe events observed during the trial — not all are caused by the drug.

All Patients
Serious: 0/21 (0%)
Deaths: 0/21
Other adverse events (12 terms — click to expand)

ReactionSystemAll Patients
Burning Sensation on EyeEye disorders
Foreign Body Sensation on EyeEye disorders
Eye ItchingEye disorders
Migraine AttacksNervous system disorders
Pain in the noseGeneral disorders
SneezingGeneral disorders
Excessive tearingEye disorders
Increased Eye PainEye disorders
Forehead throbbingNervous system disorders
Increased Facial PainNervous system disorders
Sinus irritation and PainGeneral disorders
Sinus infectionGeneral disorders

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03674892 adverse events section.

Sponsor's own description

This study is a prospective, interventional, open-label, single arm, non-randomized trial treating 30 patients with peripheral or mixed neuropathic corneal pain at their baseline exam and following 45 days and 90 days of daily use with the TrueTear™ ITN device.

Publications & conference data

No peer-reviewed publications indexed yet for this trial.

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Other trials of TrueTear™ intranasal neurostimulator (ITN)

Trials testing the same drug.

Other recruiting trials for Cornea

Currently open trials in the same condition.

Other Tufts Medical Center trials

Trials by the same sponsor.

Verify against primary sources

Data sources for this page

Drug Landscape aggregates and links these public records for informational use only. Always verify against the primary source before clinical or regulatory decisions. Canonical URL: https://druglandscape.com/trial/NCT03674892.

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing