Light Therapy for Postoperative Pain
Trial Summary
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are on chronic opioids equal to or greater than 90 Morphine Milligram Equivalent (MME) per day, you would not be eligible to participate.
Is light therapy safe for humans?
How does light therapy differ from other treatments for postoperative pain?
What is the purpose of this trial?
This is a prospective randomized clinical trial study to investigate two main aspects. The first aspect is to investigate the efficacy exposure to green light emitting diode (GLED) in reducing postoperative opioid medications requirements by 20% as the primary outcome amongst patients scheduled for elective total knee replacement surgery (knee arthroplasty). The second aspect is to reduce postoperative pain by 30%, improve preoperative anxiety by 30%, and improve the quality of sleep pre and postoperatively by 30%.Seventy participants scheduled for elective unilateral primary total knee arthroplasty (total knee replacement) will be recruited from the pain clinic or from the orthopedic surgery clinics at Banner-University Medical Center by the pain or orthopedic physicians who are key personnel of this study. Once a participant is identified, he/she will meet with one of the research team members to explain the nature of the clinical trial and undergo a standard of care medical history gathering and baseline physical examinations. If the participant meets all the inclusion and have no exclusion criteria, he/she will be presented with a written consent in English to explain all the risk and benefits of this clinical trial. Once a participant signs a consent, he or she will be randomized by the study statistician, in a 1:1 ratio to either a GLED group (treatment) or white light-emitting diode (WLED) group (control). The participant will be trained on how to use the light device by one of the research team members. All participants will be exposed to either GLED or WLED for 8 weeks prior to surgery and two additional weeks after surgery.
Research Team
Mohab Ibrahim, PhD, MD
Principal Investigator
University of Arizona
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for adults over 18 who can read and write English, scheduled for elective knee replacement surgery. It's not suitable for those with colorblindness, severe mental health issues, chronic pain requiring high-dose opioids, or involved in legal cases related to injury compensation.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Pre-Surgery Treatment
Participants are exposed to either Green LED or White LED light for 8 weeks prior to surgery
Post-Surgery Treatment
Participants continue light exposure for 2 weeks after surgery, either at home or in the hospital
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Green LED light therapy
- White LED light therapy
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Arizona
Lead Sponsor