Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT02461225

Study of Low Level Laser Therapy to Treat Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Foot Pain

The purpose of this study is to determine whether low level laser therapy is effective in the reduction of foot pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Midleton Foot Clinic, Midleton, Co. Cork, Ireland

Loading trial locations.

About this study

It is the goal of the current double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of the Erchonia FX-635 which emits (3) 635nm red diodes, for providing temporary reduction of foot pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Existing clinical diagnosis of diabetes induced Peripheral Neuropathy documented by a suitably qualified and licensed medical professional
  • Significant spontaneous foot pain that occurs approximately equally (comparably) bilaterally
  • Significant spontaneous pain of 50 or greater on the 0-100 Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for the feet overall
  • Foot pain is chronic, defined as having been ongoing for at least 3 months, bilaterally
  • Stable anti-diabetic medication regimen for the prior 30 days or on no anti-diabetic medication regimen for the prior 30 days
  • Willing and able to refrain from consuming any non-study over-the-counter and/or prescription medications or therapies for the relief of pain/inflammation throughout study participation
  • Primary language is English.

Exclusion criteria

  • No definitive clinical diagnosis of diabetes induced Peripheral Neuropathy or foot pain is undiagnosed, or diagnosed as being other than, or in addition to, diabetes induced Peripheral Neuropathy
  • Foot pain is unilateral or notably different between the two feet
  • Self-reported Degree of Pain rating on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scale is less than 50 for both feet overall
  • Serious organ disease or other serious primary disease merger
  • Diabetes ketosis, ketoacidosis or severe infection within the past 2 weeks
  • Current, active chronic pain disease
  • Cancer or treatment for cancer in the past 6 months
  • Use of any analgesics, or an equivalent of over-the counter or prescription NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) within 7 days prior to study initiation
  • Use of any antidepressants within 30 days prior to study initiation
  • Use of any of the following prescription medications within 30 days prior to study initiation: Neurontin; Lyrica; Tramadol; Opioid medicines such as Ultram and Ultracet
  • Injections of local anesthetics such as lidocaine within the past 30 days
  • Surgical intervention to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy foot pain, including implantation of a pain relief device
  • Active infection, wound or other external trauma to the treatment areas
  • Medical, physical, or other contraindications for, or sensitivity to, light therapy
  • Pregnant, breast feeding, or planning pregnancy prior to the end of study participation
  • Serious mental health illness such as dementia or schizophrenia; psychiatric hospitalization in past two years
  • Developmental disability or cognitive impairment that in the opinion of the investigator would preclude adequate comprehension of the consent form and/or ability to record study measurements
  • Involvement in litigation/receiving disability benefits related to the parameters of the study
  • Participation in other research in the past 30 days

Treatment and study plan

Erchonia® FX-635™

Device

The Erchonia® FX-635™ is made up of 3 independent 17 mW, 635 nm red laser diodes that are applied for 15 minutes to each foot. The diodes are positioned around the foot such that each of the 3 laser lights is positioned between 3 and 4 inches away from, but directed toward: a) the top of the foot (dorsal aspect); b) the bottom of the foot (plantar aspect); and c) the posterior tibial nerve within the tarsal tunnel. The laser diodes laze each of these 3 areas for 15 minutes simultaneously. Each subject receives 12 total procedure administrations with the Erchonia® FX-635™ across the consecutive 6-week procedure administration phase, 2 procedure administrations per week, each procedure administration approximately evenly spaced.

Placebo Laser

Device

The Placebo Laser has the same appearance as the Erchonia® FX-635™ but does not emit any therapeutic light. It is applied for 15 minutes to each foot. The diodes are positioned around the foot such that each of the 3 laser lights is positioned between 3 and 4 inches away from, but directed toward: a) the top of the foot (dorsal aspect); b) the bottom of the foot (plantar aspect); and c) the posterior tibial nerve within the tarsal tunnel. The laser diodes laze each of these 3 areas for 15 minutes simultaneously. Each subject receives 12 total procedure administrations with the Erchonia® FX-635™ across the consecutive 6-week procedure administration phase, 2 procedure administrations per week, each procedure administration approximately evenly spaced.

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of Participants With a 30% or Greater Change in Pain Rating on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks

    The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) from baseline to endpoint (6 weeks) measurement is calculated for each subject. Individual subject success is defined as a 30% or greater change in VAS pain scores across the evaluation period. A negative (-) percent change indicates a decrease in pain level and is positive for individual subject success. A lower Visual Analog Scale pain score from baseline to study endpoint represents a better outcome, whereas a higher score from baseline to study endpoint represents a worse outcome.

    For the primary study outcome, the overall study success is defined as a 35% or greater difference between the proportion (number) of individual successes in each treatment group.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Pain Rating on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks

    The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) assesses level or degree of pain. It is a horizontal line anchored on the left by the label '0: no pain at all' and on the right by the label '100: worst pain imaginable'. The subject marks a location on the 0-100 line that appears to represent any level of pain he or she is experiencing at that time. This marking is measured with a 0 to 100 mm ruler and the number recorded. A lower Visual Analog Scale pain score from baseline to study endpoint represents a better outcome, whereas a higher score from baseline to study endpoint represents a worse outcome.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Erchonia Corporation

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Randomized Evaluation of the Effect of the Erchonia® FX-635™ on Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Foot Pain Clinical Study Protocol

Important dates

Study start
2016
Primary completion
2017
Study completion
2017
First posted
Jun 3, 2015
Registry last updated
Mar 15, 2022

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.