Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 3 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Multiprofen-CC cream to reduce hand osteoarthritis pain

Official title: Multiprofen-CC to Reduce Pain in Hand Arthritis (MRP-HAND): A Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial

Run by St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton · NCT06966206 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This trial will try Multiprofen-CC cream to see if applying it to the hands reduces pain in adults with hand osteoarthritis compared with a placebo.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment42 (estimated)
SponsorSt. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Hamilton, Ontario)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMarch 9, 2026
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2026
Study endsAugust 1, 2027
Registry record updatedMay 4, 2026
Trial IDNCT06966206 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults aged 18 or older with hand osteoarthritis by ACR criteria who have pain or loss of hand function that interferes with daily life and can give informed consent and follow the protocol.

Probably not a fit

People with inflammatory arthritis (like rheumatoid arthritis), active hand skin wounds or conditions, known allergy to the cream, recent or planned hand surgery, significant liver or kidney impairment, pregnancy or breastfeeding, or daily opioid use for other chronic pain are unlikely to benefit or are excluded.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized, crossover Phase 3 trial has participants apply Multiprofen-CC and a matching placebo cream in random order while continuing standard care, with dosing of 1 gram applied to the hands three times daily during treatment periods. Participants attend visits before starting, after two weeks, and at six weeks, and report symptoms throughout the study. Primary outcomes include changes in hand pain, with secondary measures of hand function, opioid use, patient global impression of change, and monitoring of side effects. The trial is conducted at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton and enrolls adults meeting American College of Rheumatology criteria for hand osteoarthritis.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this topical treatment could reduce hand pain and improve function while lowering reliance on oral pain medicines and their systemic side effects.

How similar studies have gone: Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory formulations have shown pain relief in some osteoarthritis studies, but this specific Multiprofen-CC formulation for hand OA has limited direct trial evidence.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults (18+)
* Have been diagnosed with hand osteoarthritis according to American College of Rheumatology criteria
* Experience pain and/or loss of function in one or both hands that interferes with daily life
* Provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unable to consent
* Unable or unwilling to follow study protocol
* Known allergy or contraindication to any of the study drugs or their ingredients
* Have open wounds/cuts and/or skin conditions on the hand area
* Pregnant or breastfeeding
* History of impaired kidney or liver function
* Rheumatoid or other inflammatory arthropathy
* Hand surgery within the past 6 months or planned within the study period.
* Use daily opioids (other than short acting codeine) for a chronic pain condition other than hand arthritis

Where it's running

  • St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
    Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Carolyn Levis, MD, MSc, FRCS(C) — McMaster University
  • Study coordinator: Breanne Flood, MSc
  • Email: bflood@stjoes.ca
  • Phone: 905-870-1382

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

  • Intramuscular methylprednisolone for relieving hand osteoarthritis pain

    This trial will test whether one or two doses of intramuscular methylprednisolone (120 mg or 40 mg) reduce hand pain more than a placebo in people with hand osteoarthritis.

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  • Program for managing hand osteoarthritis

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    Recruiting Parker Research Institute · Copenhagen, Capital Region · NCT06794632

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    Recruiting Phase 3 Frederiksberg University Hospital · Copenhagen, Frederiksberg · NCT06367283

  • Evaluating acupuncture for hand osteoarthritis

    This study is testing whether acupuncture can help people with hand osteoarthritis feel less pain and improve their joint function.

    Recruiting Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences · Beijing · NCT05267093

  • Identifying early symptoms of hand osteoarthritis

    This study is trying to find early signs of hand osteoarthritis in people under 60 using advanced imaging to help identify those at risk for worsening symptoms.

    Recruiting University Hospital, Montpellier · Montpellier · NCT03650673

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.