This is a pilot study of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) + Vitamin D3 supplementation in adolescents with cerebral palsy. The primary objective is to quantify safety, compliance, and acceptability of daily combined HMB + Vitamin D3 supplementation for 12 weeks in adolescents with CP. The secondary objective is to quantify changes in lower extremity muscle mass, strength, and functional mobility after daily combined HMB + Vitamin D3 supplementation for 12 weeks.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
7
The supplement will be taken orally twice daily. Participants will take 2 blended HMB + Vitamin D3 tablets in the morning and 2 tablets in the evening for 12 weeks.
Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare
Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
Difference in the incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events with supplementation as assessed by renal (kidney) function - specific gravity
Specific gravity will be measured via urinalysis with microscopy (unitless; ratio of urine density \[g/cm\^3\] divided by density of pure water).
Time frame: Pre-supplementation (12 wks), post-supplementation (12 wks)
Difference in the incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events with supplementation as assessed by renal (kidney) function - pH
pH will be measured via urinalysis with microscopy (usually presented unitless; moles H+ per liter).
Time frame: Pre-supplementation (12 wks), post-supplementation (12 wks)
Difference in the incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events with supplementation as assessed by renal (kidney) function - microscopy
Molecular concentrations in urine will be measured via urinalysis with microscopy. The following molecular concentrations will be measured: total protein, glucose, ketones, blood, bilirubin, and urobilinogen (all units: unitless).
Time frame: Pre-supplementation (12 wks), post-supplementation (12 wks)
Difference in the incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events with supplementation as assessed by renal (kidney) function - BUN
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN; units: mg/dL) will be measured using a blood sample.
Time frame: Pre-supplementation (12 wks), post-supplementation (12 wks)
Difference in the incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events with supplementation as assessed by renal (kidney) function - creatinine
Creatinine will be measured using a blood sample. It will be used to estimate glomerular filtration rate (mL/min/m\^2 body surface area).
Time frame: Pre-supplementation (12 wks), post-supplementation (12 wks)
Difference in the incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events with supplementation as assessed by hepatic (liver) function - enzymes
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Hepatic enzyme function will be measured with a blood sample. Outcomes include alkaline phosphatase \[ALP\], aspartate aminotransferase \[AST\], alanine aminotransferase \[ALT\] (all units: units per liter).
Time frame: Pre-supplementation (12 wks), post-supplementation (12 wks)
Difference in the incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events with supplementation as assessed by hepatic (liver) function
Hepatic function will be measured with a blood sample. Outcomes of interest include bilirubin, albumin, and total protein (all units: g/dL).
Time frame: Pre-supplementation (12 wks), post-supplementation (12 wks)
Difference in the incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events before and after supplementation as assessed by adverse events form
Adverse events will be recorded using the NIH's Adverse Events Form, ver 2.
Time frame: Pre-supplementation (12 wks), post-supplementation (12 wks)
Difference in the incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events before and after supplementation as assessed by checklist of changes to major organ systems
Common complaints of major organ system experienced over the last 3 days will be self-reported as present or not present for: stomachache, nausea, dizziness, coughing, wheezing, chest pain, weakness, increased headache, negative mood, rash, dry scalp, dry skin, nail changes, ear pain, decreased memory, itching, swelling, diarrhea, stiff joints, nose bleeds, heart burn, numbness, nasal congestion, ringing in ears, increased stress, decreased libido, constipation, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, loss of energy, blood in urine, \& blood in stool.
Time frame: Pre-supplementation (12 wks), post-supplementation (12 wks)
Ability to comply with HMB supplementation as assessed by a daily diary & compliance check-ins
Participants will complete a daily paper or electronic diary to document taking their supplement. Compliance checks will be conducted by the study staff via a call or email. Unused supplements will be counted at the end of the study. Compliance will be calculated as a percent (# of pills taken on time/total # of pills that should have been taken) x 100.
Time frame: Post-supplementation (12 wks)
Ability to swallow HMB supplement as assessed by the PILL-5 survey
The PILL-5 survey is a 5 question survey that measures physical (e.g., pill sticks in my throat) and emotional (e.g., I have a fear of swallowing pills) swallowing ability. It will be self-reported using a 5-pt Likert scale (never, almost never, sometimes, almost always, always). A total score is calculated (range 0-20, with 20 representing maximum pill dysphasia).
Time frame: Week 1 of supplementation
Palatability of HMB supplement as assessed by the visual 5 faces hedonic scale
Whether participants like or dislike the taste of the supplement will be measured with a 5 faces hedonic scale with the numerical anchors ranging from 1 to 5 (best) and text anchors: dislike a lot; dislike a little; neither like nor dislike; like a little; like a lot.
Time frame: Week 1 of supplementation
Satisfaction of supplement dose volume as assessed by survey
A question will measure if participants felt the dose volume (number of tablets) were acceptable (yes or no).
Time frame: Week 12 of supplementation
Difference in satisfaction of supplement dose frequency as assessed by survey
A question will measure if participants felt the frequency (2 times per day) was acceptable (yes or no).
Time frame: Week 12 of supplementation
Change in lower extremity strength with supplementation as assessed using a Biodex isokinetic system
Isokinetic dynamometry will be used to measure peak torque of hip extensors \& flexors, knee extensors \& flexors, and ankle plantarflexors and dorsiflexors (Newton-meters/body mass).
Time frame: Pre-supplementation (12 wks), post-supplementation (12 wks)
Change in muscle mass with supplementation as assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
Skeletal muscle mass (kg) will be measured using a whole body DXA scan.
Time frame: Pre-supplementation (12 wks), post-supplementation (12 wks)
Change in functional mobility with supplementation as assessed by the 10-meter walk test (10MWT)
The 10MWT will be performed at the participant's fastest walking speed over a 14-m walkway, with 2-m on each end for acceleration and deceleration. Time to travel the middle 10-m will be recorded by stopwatch and average speed (m/s) calculated. Usual orthoses and assistive devices will be permitted and used at each repeat assessment.
Time frame: Pre-supplementation (12 wks), post-supplementation (12 wks)
Change in functional mobility with supplementation as assessed by the Timed-up-and-go test (TUG)
The TUG will be performed at self-selected speed using a standard height chair with arms. Participants will stand up, walk 3-m, and return to their seat. Time (seconds) will be measured. Usual orthoses and assistive devices will be permitted and used at each repeat assessment.
Time frame: Pre-supplementation (12 wks), post-supplementation (12 wks)
Change in functional mobility with supplementation as assessed by the 6 minute walk test (6MWT)
The 6MWT will be performed at the participant's fastest walking speed on an indoor, oval walking path. Distance travelled (m) will be recorded and average speed (m/s) calculated. Usual orthoses and assistive devices will be permitted and used at each repeat assessment.
Time frame: Pre-supplementation (12 wks), post-supplementation (12 wks)