The primary objectives of this pilot study protocol are to assess safety and feasibility of using the geko™ device in COVID-19. Regarding safety to patients, we will measure the rate of adverse events, primarily local site irritation or discomfort. Feasibility will be measured on the basis of recruitment; ability to enroll sufficient number of patients meeting criteria. Protocol adherence will be observed as the ability to deliver the study intervention to the patients randomized to the treatment arm within the prescribed timeline and ability to complete the course of treatment. Additionally, we plan to measure patient outcomes such as ICU admission and death. The findings of this study have the potential to decrease the complications seen in COVID-19 infections.
On March 11, 2020, a global pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization. A novel
coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified as
the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 infection has quickly become one of the
fastest growing and deadliest diseases to surface due to its high death rate and ability to
replicate and spread readily from people without symptoms. Recent evidence indicates that
critically ill patients with COVID-19 experience a high risk of blood clots. Deep leg vein
blood clots can travel to the lungs and cause severe lung failure and death. The geko™ device
is a simple device that increases the return of blood flow from the lower legs and
potentially decrease the risk of lung blood clots. Investigators believe the geko™ device may
have an important benefit in COVID-19 patients by decreasing the risk of lung clots and
decrease the risk of respiratory failure which is often the cause of death in COVID-19
patients. In this study, Investigators plan to study the effect of using the geko™ device in
COVID-19 patients and measure patient outcomes such as ICU admission and death. The findings
of this study have the potential to decrease the complications seen in COVID-19 infections.
Device: geko T3
The device stimulates the peroneal nerve.It will be applied for the entire duration of ICU stay and replaced once every 24 hours.
Other Name: NMES
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patients who test positive for Covid-19
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients who are unlikely to be adherent or cannot tolerate the therapy (self-report)
- Prior above or below knee amputation
- A history of prior Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) or Venous Thromboembolism (VTE),
- Those patients being treated with full dose therapeutic anticoagulation.
- Patients with pacemakers
London Health Sciences Centre
London, Ontario, Canada
Tina Mele, MD PhD FRCSC
519-663-3531
Tina.Mele@lhsc.on.ca
Tracey Bentall
519-685-8500 - 32546
traceyc.bentall@lhsc.on.ca
Tina Mele, Principal Investigator
Western University