Using blue light therapy to reduce pain and inflammation in rib fractures
Blue Light as an Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Strategy in Thoracic Trauma: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Adults With Rib Fractures
This study is testing if bright blue light therapy can help adults with painful rib fractures feel less pain and inflammation compared to other types of light.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 75 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Pittsburgh Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT06626334 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of bright blue light therapy in alleviating pain and inflammation in adults with painful rib fractures. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either bright blue light therapy, bright white light therapy, or usual ambient light, in addition to standard pain management treatments. The study aims to determine if the blue light therapy can improve pain control during breathing compared to the other light conditions. Each participant will undergo their assigned light treatment for four hours daily over a period of up to three days.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who have sustained at least one acute rib fracture and are experiencing significant pain.
Not a fit: Patients on mechanical ventilation or those with conditions like delirium or ocular trauma may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a non-invasive method to enhance pain management for patients with rib fractures.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of light therapy is gaining interest, this specific application for rib fractures is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age greater than or equal to 18 years * Admitted to a single large academic level I trauma center (Presbyterian/Montefiore hospital) within the first 48 hours of traumatic injury * Greater than or equal to 1 acute rib fracture * Pain related to rib fracture(s), by one or more of the following criteria: 1. Pain \>/= 4/10 at rest, 2. Pain \>/= 4/10 with incentive spirometer (IS) use, and/or 3. Inspiratory volume \< 1000 cc * Anticipated length of stay greater than or equal to 48 hours * Alert, with capacity to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Mechanical ventilation\* or non-invasive positive pressure ventilation administered for respiratory insufficiency prior to the time of informed consent * Delirium (positive CAM screening) at the time of informed consent * Ocular trauma, which may interfere with the mechanism of action * Traumatic brain injury (TBI) or history of TBI or stroke, which may interfere with the mechanism of action * Splenectomy upon admission or history of splenectomy, which may interfere with the mechanism of action * History of significant ocular dysfunction\*\* (i.e., macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts), which may interfere with the mechanism of action * History of cataract surgery, due to the possibility of blue light filtering intraocular lens placement * History of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, which could increase the risk of an adverse reaction to light exposure (i.e., acute mania) * History of dementia, which would compromise the reliability of pain intensity and delirium measures * Or other condition in which a patient cannot open eyes to receive light intervention or report a pain score \*\*Myopia, hyperopia, and/or astigmatism corrected for with contact lenses or spectacle corrective eyeglasses will NOT be a criterion for exclusion
Where this trial is running
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Presbyterian Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Rebecca E Kotcher, MD — University of Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Rebecca E Kotcher, MD
- Email: kotcherre@upmc.edu
- Phone: 412-647-7243
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.