Using water-filtered infrared-A radiation for hand osteoarthritis treatment

Water-filtered Infrared-A Radiation in Patients With Hand Osteoarthritis - a Randomized Controlled Trial

This study is testing if a special type of light therapy can help people with hand osteoarthritis feel less pain and move their fingers better.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 70 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 85 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Charite University, Berlin, Germany (other)
• Drugs / interventions: radiation
• Locations: 1 site (Berlin-Wannsee, Berlin)
• Trial ID: NCT06329219 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the effects of water-filtered Infrared-A radiation on patients with hand osteoarthritis. It aims to determine whether this treatment can reduce pain and improve the function of finger joints over time. Additionally, the study will assess patient satisfaction with the treatment results compared to those on a wait-list. Participants will receive the radiation treatment while their progress is monitored over a specified period.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals diagnosed with finger polyarthritis who experience significant local pain and have not undergone recent local treatments.

Not a fit: Patients with chronic inflammatory joint diseases or severe comorbidities are unlikely to benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly alleviate pain and enhance joint function for patients with hand osteoarthritis.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific use of water-filtered Infrared-A radiation is novel, similar approaches using infrared therapies have shown promise in other studies.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of finger polyarthritis (confirmed by a specialist, radiological findings available)
* Local pain for more than 50% of the day in the past 3 months.
* Subjective pain intensity of local pain in the last 24 hours on a VAS scale of 0 to 10 being \>4.
* No planned local treatment in the next 6 months.
* No planned intra-articular injections within the next 6 months.
* The patient must be able to understand the study explanations and appropriately follow the instructions of the investigating physician.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Chronic inflammatory joint diseases.
* Poor general health.
* Febrile diseases.
* Fibromyalgia syndrome.
* Psychotic disorders.
* Severe comorbidities.
* Acute unclear skin diseases.
* Heat urticaria.
* Painful diseases/diagnoses of the shoulder and/or arm.
* Lymphatic vessel diseases (lymphedema, lymphangitis).
* Porphyria.
* Pain-associated diseases/diagnoses of the shoulder and/or arm.
* Intra-articular injections or arthroscopies within the last 3 months.
* Previous or planned surgical procedure on the affected joints in the last 8 weeks or in the upcoming 6 months.
* Intake or application of photosensitizing drugs or extracts (e.g., porphyrins, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, psoralenes, St. John's wort).
* Systemic medication with glucocorticoids or immunosuppressants.
* Pain medication with opioid analgesics.
* Known pregnancy.
* Concurrent participation in another clinical trial.

Where this trial is running

Berlin-Wannsee, Berlin

• Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin at the Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Immanuel Krankenhaus Berlin — Berlin-Wannsee, Berlin, Germany (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Andreas Michalsen — Charite University, Berlin, Germany
• Study coordinator: Miriam Rösner

Conditions: Hand Osteoarthritis