Effect of LASER Photobiomodulation Therapy on Chronic Pain and Opioid Weaning
Chronic Pain
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Chronic Pain
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 18 or older.
- Taking prescribed opioid pain medications in an amount in excess of 30 Morphine Equivalent Dose (MED) for 6 months or longer.
- Have been recommended to wean or reduce their MED.
- Medically stable such that subject does not have unstable angina, COPD requiring supplemental oxygen, untreated or active cancer or similar conditions that would make participation difficult or unsafe.
- Compliant with all physician recommendations relating to medication usage.
- Ambulatory and able to use the toilet independently.
- Negative pregnancy test in subjects of childbearing potential
- Willing to attempt opioid pain medication taper.
- Competent to provide informed consent.
- Capable of understanding and completing study questionnaires.
- Subject willing to participate in the study for up to 12 weeks.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Not capable of understanding or completing study questionnaires.
- Lacking capacity to provide fully informed consent.
- Substance use disorder not in remission.
- Considering surgery or other invasive procedures that would take place during the study.
- Used isotretinoin (Accutane) within 6 months prior to study enrollment
- Cancer not in remission.
- Need of ongoing Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic care or other treatments intended to remediate pain other than treatment in the Sharp Pain Program.
- A female who is pregnant or lactating, or of childbearing potential unless a medically acceptable method of birth control is in use.
- Any use of light-activated drugs (photodynamic therapy) or heat sensitive medications within 30 days of first treatment.
- Used an investigational drug/device therapy or participated in any clinical investigation relating to pain within 4 weeks prior to study enrollment.
- A psychiatric or psychological condition that would place undo stress on the subject, prevent full participation or compromise data collection.
- The subject is otherwise determined, based on the opinion of the Investigator, to be an unsuitable candidate for enrollment in this study
Sites / Locations
- Sharp Alison DeRose Rehabilitation Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Other
Other
ABAB
BABA
Treatment, either LASER (arm A) or LOW LEVEL LASER (arm B) will be provided 3 (not less than 2) days a week for three weeks at which time crossover into the alternate arm occurs (BABA to ABAB or ABAB to BABA). ABAB initial period is active treatment - LASER. Active Treatment: LASER light is delivered to the skin and deeper tissues affected by pain using either a wand or glass roller ball. Ten to 25 Watts of LASER energy is delivered to the painful regions for 8 to 16 minutes depending on the size of the area treated and other factors such as skin pigmentation.
Treatment, either LASER (arm A) or LOW LEVEL LASER (arm B) will be provided 3 (not less than 2) days a week for three weeks at which time crossover into the alternate arm occurs (BABA to ABAB or ABAB to BABA). BABA initial period is sham treatment - LOW LEVEL LASER. LOW LEVEL LASER "treatment": Low level LASER is provided in a similar fashion using LASER power levels (1 Watt) that produce warmth only at superficial skin levels.