The effects of light-therapy on pain and mobility in people with knee joint osteoarthritis. - Trial ANZCTR12622001331729

Timeline & Enrollment

Primary Outcome

Change in numeric pain rating scale (NPRS)

Summary

In this waitlist-controlled pilot study we want to find out if the application of an innovative new adhesive light patch can reduce pain and improve movement in people with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). In this study, we will see whether the light device has any benefit compared to no treatment. Although only half of the participants will receive the light treatment, all participants will be seen at home at pre-determined times by the researchers to assess their progress. Today, the usual approach to pain relief and improved movement is a combination of pain-relief drugs (analgesics that include opioids that may be addictive or have side effects) and exercise rehabilitation. These strategies can work well, but the new light treatment may result in good outcomes without the side effects of drugs, and may promote greater activity in people who have KOA. Almost 70% of all drug-related health disorders are related to opioid use, so reducing the intake of these medicines by using alternative forms of pain relief is a desirable aim. We have previously carried out a small feasibility study (Vassão and Laakso, 2022; not registered) to work out the protocol details for this research study. In the feasibility study, we found that patients who were planned for knee replacement surgery due to severe KOA accepted and tolerated the light device, that it was easy for patients to apply at home, and the device provided good pain relief. Based on this previous research, we expect that using a low dose of light therapy daily for two weeks may decrease pain and improve function. The device we are testing is called CareWear. CareWear is a novel, 3-D printed self-adhesive patch with hundreds of micro-diodes (light emitting diodes are found in many home appliances) that emit specific light frequencies that have been found in other research to reduce inflammation and pain. The CareWear patch is registered in the USA and with the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for applying light to areas of pain and inflammation. [Vassão PG, Laakso E-L. ‘Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is feasible and acceptable in preconditioning and post-operative recovery of patients after total knee arthroplasty (TKA): A clinical case series’. OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine 2022; 7(1) doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2201012.]

ICD-10 Classifications