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The Effect of Light Therapy on Chronic Pain
NCT03677206 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
Chronic pain is a major problem in the USA and the rest of the world, currently, all available pharmacological interventions carry with them significant side effects. Pain clinics are specially equipped to perform intentional pain procedures to manage pain. However, there remain groups of patients what neither benefit from pharmacological nor from interventional pain procedures. Other methods have shown only minor benefits such as hypnosis or cognitive behavioral therapy. Therefore, other techniques need to be investigated. Light therapy has been shown to have significant biological effects on humans. For example, light therapy is used to manage depression. Several clinical trials have shown that certain wavelengths of light can improve wound healing, decrease temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) pain, and decrease fear of back pain. In these trials, light was directed at the site of pain. In an attempt to better understand the effect of different wavelengths of light, pre-clinical studies were conducted using rats. The investigators have shown green and blue Light emitting diode, (LED) light produced antinociception (analgesia) and reversed neuropathic pain associated with several models of chronic pain. The analgesic effect of light was completely blocked when rats had their eyes covered, this suggests that the analgesic effects seen are mainly due to systemic effect through the visual system. Preliminary experiments on rats suggest that this effect is mediated through the endogenous opioids and cannabinoid system. The investigators believe that LED light is a safe alternative to pharmacological intervention to manage pain by stimulating the endogenous endorphin and cannabinoid systems. The investigators initial target participants with history of HIV, chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy and fibromyalgia. Participants will be divided into 2 groups. The first group will be a control group exposed to white LED light. The second group will be exposed t
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DEVICE Exposure to green LED light
- DEVICE Exposure to white LED light
Study Locations (1)
Arizona
- Banner University Medical Center South — Tucson
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 55 participants |
| Start Date | 2016-06 |
| Est. Completion | 2026-12 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT03677206
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT03677206 describes a study currently listed as active not recruiting. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 55 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is University of Arizona, which has 379 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Chronic Pain appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions — of which Exposure to green LED light is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT03677206 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Arizona. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT03677206 about?
NCT03677206 is a clinical study titled "The Effect of Light Therapy on Chronic Pain". Chronic pain is a major problem in the USA and the rest of the world, currently, all available pharmacological interventions carry with them significant side effects. Pain clinics are specially equipped to perform intentional pain procedures to manage pain. However, there remain groups of patients w...
What is the current status of trial NCT03677206?
This trial is currently active not recruiting. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 55 participants. The study started on 2016-06. Estimated completion is 2026-12.
What conditions does trial NCT03677206 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Chronic Pain. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT03677206?
The interventions under investigation include: Exposure to green LED light (DEVICE), Exposure to white LED light (DEVICE). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT03677206?
This trial is sponsored by University of Arizona, which has 379 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT03677206 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Arizona. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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