Light Therapy for Kidney Failure
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests whether light therapy can reduce fatigue in people with end-stage kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. Participants will wear special glasses that deliver light during their dialysis sessions for four weeks. Two groups exist: one will receive bright light, and the other will receive dim light as a placebo. Suitable candidates have been on dialysis three times a week for at least a month and often experience significant fatigue. Individuals with certain eye disorders or light sensitivity cannot participate. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore new methods to alleviate fatigue for those undergoing dialysis.
What prior data suggests that this light therapy is safe for patients with end stage kidney disease?
Research has shown that bright light therapy is generally safe. Studies indicate that this treatment can enhance mood without serious side effects. For instance, one study reported that a six-week program of bright light therapy improved depression symptoms in middle-aged and older adults, with no major negative effects. Another study found that light therapy could reduce oxidative stress, a type of cell damage. This suggests the therapy does not put extra strain on the body. Although limited research exists on light therapy specifically for kidney failure, these findings suggest it is likely safe for most people.12345
Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about light therapy for kidney failure because it offers a non-invasive approach that is quite different from traditional treatments like medications or dialysis alone. Unlike most treatments that focus on filtering the blood or managing symptoms with drugs, this therapy uses bright light delivered through specially designed glasses during dialysis sessions. The bright light may help improve overall well-being and possibly enhance the effectiveness of dialysis by influencing the body's internal clock, which can be disrupted in patients with kidney failure. This innovative method could potentially offer a new avenue for improving patient outcomes in a way that current treatments do not.
What evidence suggests that light therapy might be an effective treatment for fatigue in kidney failure?
This trial will compare bright light therapy with dim light therapy for individuals undergoing dialysis. Studies have shown that bright light therapy can reduce swelling and scarring in kidney cells, potentially benefiting people with kidney disease by decreasing these harmful effects. Other research suggests that bright light therapy can also improve thinking and memory in some patients, potentially aiding brain issues related to kidney problems. Although more research is needed, these findings suggest that bright light therapy could be a promising option for reducing tiredness and other symptoms in people with kidney failure.12678
Who Is on the Research Team?
Lea Ann Matura, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Pennsylvania
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for patients with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) who are on hemodialysis at least three times a week and have been doing so for over a month. They must feel very tired, as shown by scoring more than 9 on the Fatigue Severity Scale, be able to sign consent forms, and have a fridge at home to store test samples.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive light therapy using special glasses for one hour during dialysis sessions
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Light Therapy
Trial Overview
The study is looking into whether bright light therapy can reduce fatigue in ESKD patients during dialysis. Participants will wear special glasses that provide either bright or dim light for an hour during their thrice-weekly dialysis sessions over four weeks.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Light therapy will be delivered by the Re-Timer glasses for 60 minutes during dialysis sessions.
Dim light therapy will be delivered by the Re-Timer glasses for 60 minutes during dialysis sessions.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Pennsylvania
Lead Sponsor
Citations
Therapeutic Potential of Photobiomodulation for Chronic ...
The results showed that PBM (830 nm, 220 J/cm2) significantly reduced inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and TNF-α in the kidney cortex.
POS-360 The role of Photobiomodulation on chronic ...
The present study suggests that PBM directly reduced inflammation and fibrosis in kidney tubular cells, when used at the appropriate dose.
WCN24-1376 EFFECT OF BRIGHT LIGHT THERAPY IN ...
Additionally, the study shows cognitive improvement in part of the patient population assessed, indicating that bright light can also enhance cognitive per- ...
NCT06310161 | Light Therapy in End Stage Kidney Disease
Bright light treatment will consist of using the Re-timer device 3 times per week during dialysis sessions for 4 weeks. The Re-timer is worn like a pair of ...
Research Progress in Sunlight Therapy for Chronic Kidney ...
For patients with early-stage CKD, controlled sunlight exposure may reduce kidney burden and slow disease progression by improving calcium–phosphate metabolism.
Effect of Bright Light Therapy on Depressive Symptoms in ...
Our findings revealed that a six-week program of BLT was able to alleviate depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older patients receiving long- ...
Acceleration of the Meckel Syndrome by Near-Infrared Light ...
LED treatment also decreases chemical-induced oxidative stress in tested systems. As renal cystic diseases are known to have evidence of oxidative stress with ...
LIGHT deficiency attenuates acute kidney disease ...
In this study, we observed that LIGHT deficiency remarkably attenuated I/R-AKI, as evidenced by rescued renal function, ameliorated tubular cell apoptosis, and ...
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