Immediate effects of low-level laser therapy on pain threshold and tolerance
Examining of the Acute Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on Pain Threshold and Tolerance: a Randomized Controlled Trial
This study will test whether a single session of low-level laser therapy can immediately increase pain threshold and pain tolerance in healthy adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 52 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 35 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | European University of Lefke Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lefka, Northern Cyprus) |
| Trial ID | NCT07422272 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Healthy adults aged 18–35 without acute or chronic pain attend a single laboratory visit and receive either active low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or a sham laser control. Pain threshold and pain tolerance are measured immediately before and after the intervention using standardized quantitative sensory testing. The sham-controlled, blinded procedure aims to separate placebo from physiological effects of LLLT. The focus is on immediate, short-term changes rather than sustained pain management.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adults 18–35 years old without acute or chronic pain, not pregnant, and able to attend a single in-person testing visit.
Not a fit: People with chronic pain syndromes, diagnosed neurological disorders, pregnancy, recent analgesic use, or other contraindications to LLLT are unlikely to receive benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, LLLT could offer a quick, non-drug option to raise pain thresholds and reduce acute pain sensitivity.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and small clinical studies of photobiomodulation (LLLT) have shown mixed but sometimes positive immediate analgesic effects, so the approach is promising but not yet definitive.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18 and 35 years * Healthy individuals without chronic medical conditions * Free from chronic or acute pain * All genders * Able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Menstruation at the time of testing * Sensory deficits (failure to pass sharp-dull test) * Pregnancy * History of epilepsy * Presence of cardiovascular conditions (including pacemaker) * Acute hand injuries * Diagnosed neurological disorders * Use of analgesics or NSAIDs within the previous 48 hours * Contraindications to low-level laser therapy or electrical stimulation (e.g., light sensitivity, malignancy)
Where this trial is running
Lefka, Northern Cyprus
- European University of Lefke — Lefka, Northern Cyprus, Cyprus (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Asst. Prof. Dr. Beraat Alptuğ — European University of Lefke
- Study coordinator: Yara Mabrouk Houtar
- Email: yaramabrouk334@gmail.com
- Phone: +905338875012
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.