Investigation of Light Exposure on Pain Severity and Quality of Life in Individuals With Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A Pilot Study
New York Institute of Technology
Summary
Chronic pain is a major complaint among many individuals living with hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) and may have a severe impact on quality of life and activities of daily living. Given the complexity of the disease's pathophysiology, effective treatments are limited. This investigation will examine the impacts of green light exposure on subject-reported pain severity and symptoms. Knowing whether this intervention can improve pain and quality of life in this population may offer valuable guidance to clinicians who treat hEDS patients and to hEDS patients themselves.
Description
Chronic pain is a major complaint among many individuals living with hEDS and may have a severe impact on quality of life and activities of daily living. Given the complexity of the disease's pathophysiology, effective treatments are limited. A multidisciplinary approach, including pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic pain management, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological treatment alongside prophylactic care and interventions has been recommended for these patients. The application of light for pain and injury has been studied for some time. More recently, specific colored l…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. 18 years of age or older and able to speak, read, and understand English 2. Diagnosed with hEDS 3. Average numeric pain score of 5 out of 10 or greater over the 10 weeks prior to enrolling in the study and failure of medical therapy to control the pain Exclusion Criteria: 1. Initiation of any new analgesic therapy within 30 days of enrollment (note: chronic therapy with a stable regimen maintained for at least 30 days prior to enrollment is permitted) 2. Serious mental illness, defined as distortions of perception, delusions, hallucinations, and unusual behaviors resu…
Interventions
- DeviceWhite LED light
Exposure to white LED light for 1-2 hours/day x 10 weeks
- DeviceGreen LED light
Exposure to green LED light for 1-2 hours/day x 10 weeks
Location
- New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic MedicineOld Westbury, New York