Low-level Laser Therapy for Neck Pain
Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
Overseen byPaul F Crawford, MD
Age: 18 - 65
Sex: Any
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Academic
Recruiting
Sponsor: Paul Crawford
Disqualifiers: Pregnant, Cervical radiculopathy, Rheumatoid arthritis, Fibromyalgia, others
No Placebo Group
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?Determine the most effective and efficient treatment protocols for treating neck pain with LLLT.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it does mention that you should not have had physiotherapy or local injections in the 3 months before starting the study.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment for neck pain?
Research shows that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can help reduce neck pain by using light to trigger beneficial changes in cells, leading to pain relief and reduced inflammation. Studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in managing pain for various conditions, including chronic pain and osteoarthritis.
12345How does the Phoenix Thera-Lase Device treatment for neck pain differ from other treatments?
The Phoenix Thera-Lase Device uses low-level laser therapy (LLLT), a non-invasive treatment that applies non-thermal laser light to painful areas, triggering biochemical changes in cells to reduce pain and inflammation. This approach is unique because it does not rely on drugs, which often have side effects, and it has shown significant pain relief in clinical trials for chronic neck pain.
12567Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for active US Air Force pilots or navigators, aged 18-62, who can get care at Nellis Air Force Base. They should have had neck pain for over two months and a moderate disability score on the Neck Disability Index. Exclusions include those with open neck wounds, pacemakers, certain chronic diseases like fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis, recent major surgery or trauma, pregnancy, and unstable cervical conditions.Inclusion Criteria
Maintain operational flight status at enrollment or within the last 6 months
I am an active US Air Force pilot or navigator, aged 18-62.
I haven't had physiotherapy or local injections in the last 3 months.
+3 more
Exclusion Criteria
I have nerve pain or weakness from my neck.
I have an open wound on my neck.
I have rheumatoid arthritis.
+8 more
Trial Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
1 week
1 visit (in-person)
Treatment
Participants receive low-level laser therapy (LLLT) using different dosimetry parameters
10 days
10 visits (in-person)
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in neck pain and biomarker levels after treatment
2 weeks
2 visits (in-person)
Participant Groups
The study aims to find out which low-level laser therapy (LLLT) device is best for treating neck pain in air force personnel. Participants will be divided into three groups; each group will receive treatment using different LLLT devices: Phoenix Thera-Lase Device or Pinnacle Series Laser Device.
3Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Group 3 (Phoenix)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Utilizing the Phoenix Thera-Lase by Phoenix Thera-Lase Systems, we will apply LLT.
Group II: Group 2 (Pinnacle, higher dosimetry parameters)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Utilize the Pinnacle Series Laser by Aspen Laser Systems to apply LLLT
Group III: Group 1 (Pinnacle, lower dosimetry parameters)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Utilize the Pinnacle Series Laser by Aspen Laser Systems to apply LLLT
Phoenix Thera-Lase Device is already approved in United States for the following indications:
🇺🇸 Approved in United States as Phoenix Thera-Lase System for:
- Temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain
- Muscle spasm
- Pain and stiffness associated with minor arthritis
- Promoting relaxation of muscle tissue
- Temporarily increasing local blood circulation
Find a Clinic Near You
Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
Mike O'Callaghan Military Medical CenterLas Vegas, NV
Loading ...
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Paul CrawfordLead Sponsor
References
Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo or active-treatment controlled trials. [2022]Neck pain is a common and costly condition for which pharmacological management has limited evidence of efficacy and side-effects. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a relatively uncommon, non-invasive treatment for neck pain, in which non-thermal laser irradiation is applied to sites of pain. We did a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials to assess the efficacy of LLLT in neck pain.
Review of Literature on Low-level Laser Therapy Benefits for Nonpharmacological Pain Control in Chronic Pain and Osteoarthritis. [2019]Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a form of light therapy that triggers biochemical changes within cells. Photons are absorbed by cellular photoreceptors, triggering chemical alterations and potential biochemical benefits to the human body. LLLT has been used in pain management for years and is also known as cold laser therapy, which uses low-frequency continuous laser of typically 600 to 1000 nm wavelength for pain reduction and healing stimulation. Many studies have demonstrated analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects provided by photobiomodulation in both experimental and clinical trials.
660 AsGaAl laser to alleviate pain caused by cryosurgical treatment of oral leukoplakia: a preliminary study. [2015]To investigate the ability of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to alleviate pain caused by the cryosurgical treatment of oral leukoplakia (OL).
Analgesic effect of He-Ne (632.8 nm) low-level laser therapy on acute inflammatory pain. [2015]The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of the low level laser therapy (LLLT) with a He-Ne laser on acute inflammatory pain, verifying the contribution of the peripheral opioid receptors and the action of LLLT on the hyperalgesia produced by the release of hyperalgesic mediators of inflammation.
[Phototherapy for chronic pain treatment]. [2015]Three types of machines are used in the field of phototherapy for chronic pain. One type is an instrument for low reactive level laser therapy (LLLT), one is an instrument for linear polarized infrared light irradiation (SUPER LIZER), and the last one is an instrument for Xenon light irradiation (beta EXCEL Xe10). The available machines for LLLT all project laser by semiconductor. The newest machine (MEDILASER SOFT PULSE10) has peak power of 10 W and mean power of 1 W. This machine is as safe as 1 W machine and is effective twice as deep as the 1 W machine. The irradiation by low reactive level laser induces hyperpolarization, decreased resistance of neuronal membrane, and increased intra-cellular ATP concentrations. The effects of low reactive level laser might be induced by the activation of ATP-dependent K channel. The significant analgesic effects of 1 W and 10 W LLLT were reported with double blind test. The significant analgesic effects of linear polarized near infrared light irradiation with double blind test were also reported. The effects of low reactive level laser upon the sympathetic nerve system were thought to result from its normalization of the overloaded sympathetic nerve system.
The effect of 300 mW, 830 nm laser on chronic neck pain: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. [2022]A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in 90 subjects with chronic neck pain was conducted with the aim of determining the efficacy of 300 mW, 830 nm laser in the management of chronic neck pain. Subjects were randomized to receive a course of 14 treatments over 7 weeks with either active or sham laser to tender areas in the neck. The primary outcome measure was change in a 10 cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain. Secondary outcome measures included Short-Form 36 Quality-of-Life questionnaire (SF-36), Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPNQ), Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPAD), the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and Self-Assessed Improvement (SAI) in pain measured by VAS. Measurements were taken at baseline, at the end of 7 weeks' treatment and 12 weeks from baseline. The mean VAS pain scores improved by 2.7 in the treated group and worsened by 0.3 in the control group (difference 3.0, 95% CI 3.8-2.1). Significant improvements were seen in the active group compared to placebo for SF-36-Physical Score (SF36 PCS), NPNQ, NPAD, MPQVAS and SAI. The results of the SF-36 - Mental Score (SF36 MCS) and other MPQ component scores (afferent and sensory) did not differ significantly between the two groups. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT), at the parameters used in this study, was efficacious in providing pain relief for patients with chronic neck pain over a period of 3 months.
Low level laser therapy for patients with cervical disk hernia. [2021]In previous studies we have reported the benefits of low level laser therapy (LLLT) for chronic shoulder joint pain, elbow, hand and finger pain, and low back pain. The present study is a report on the effects of LLLT for chronic neck pain.