Analgesic Ear Drops for Children With Acute Otitis Media (NCT05651633) | Clinical Trial Compass
TerminatedPhase 3
Analgesic Ear Drops for Children With Acute Otitis Media
Stopped: Trial accrual problems
Netherlands29 participantsStarted 2021-10-06
Plain-language summary
This trial aims to investigate whether analgesic ear drops added to usual care provide superior ear pain relief over usual care alone in children presenting to primary care with AOM. Children will be randomly allocated (ratio 1:1) to either 1) lidocaine hydrochloride 5mg/g ear drops (Otalgan) 1-2 drops up to six times daily for a maximum of 7 days in addition to usual care (oral analgesics, with/without antibiotics) or 2) usual care. Parents will complete a symptom diary for 4 weeks as well as generic and disease-specific quality of life questionnaires at baseline and 4 weeks. The primary outcome is the parent-reported ear pain score (0-10) over the first 3 days.
NOTE:
At the time of publication of the study protocol paper, the investigators were unable to make any amendments to the trial registration record in the Netherlands Trial Register (NTR) (NL9500; date of registration: 28 May 2021). The addition of a data sharing plan was required to adhere to the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) guidelines. The investigators therefore re-registered the trial in ClinicalTrials.gov. This second registration is for modification purposes only and the NTR record (NL9500) should be regarded as the primary trial registration.
Who can participate
Age range
1 Year – 6 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age 1 to 6 years
* Parent-reported ear pain in 24 hours prior to enrolment
* GP-diagnosis of (uni- or bilateral) AOM
Exclusion Criteria:
* with (suspected) tympanic membrane perforation or ventilation tubes
* with ear wax obscuring visualisation of the tympanic membrane
* who are systemically very unwell or require hospital admission (e.g. child has signs and symptoms of serious illness and/or complications such as mastoiditis/meningitis)
* who are at high risk of serious complications including children with known immunodeficiency other than partial IgA or IgG2 deficiencies, craniofacial malformation including cleft palate, Down syndrome and previous ear surgery (with the exception of ventilation tubes in the past)
* who have a known allergy or sensitivity to study medication or similar substances (e.g. other amide-type anaesthetics: bupivacaine, mepivacaine, prilocaine, etc)
* who have taken part in any research involving medicines within the last 90 days, or any other AOM-related research within the last 30 days
* who suffer from chronic recurrent pain of another origin than the ear
* who have participated in this trial during prior AOM episode
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
The Parent-reported Ear Pain Score Over the First Three Days