Light Bulb Stimuli to Reduce Chronic Pain

Part of paid clinical trials in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Sponsor
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Study ID
NCT07825792
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

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Conditions

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Musculoskeletal Pain

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • S-Cone Stimulating Chromatic Light — DEVICE
    Participants receive exposure to S-cone stimulating chromatic light delivered via programmed TUO light bulbs. Light is administered for 2 hours daily for 7 consecutive days, ideally between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.. Participants use the light in their home environment while engaging in normal daily activities. Light intensity is maintained at a minimum of twice the ambient room illumination using an illuminometer provided by the study. This intervention is designed to selectively stimulate short-wavelength-sensitive (S-cone) photoreceptors.
  • Equal-Energy White Light — DEVICE
    Participants receive exposure to a light that appears equal-energy white that flickers along the L/M axis delivered via programmed TUO light bulbs. Light is administered for 2 hours daily for 7 consecutive days, ideally between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Participants use the light in their home environment while engaging in normal daily activities. Light intensity is maintained at a minimum of twice the ambient room illumination using an illuminometer provided by the study. This intervention serves as the control condition for comparison with the S-cone stimulating chromatic light intervention.

Study Details

This pilot randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial will evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of chromatic (colored) light exposure for reducing pain severity and pain sensitivity in adults with fibromyalgia or chronic widespread pain and fatigue. Participants will complete daily symptom surveys throughout the study and undergo patient-reported outcome assessments and quantitative sensory testing at multiple timepoints. Participants will be randomized to receive either S-cone stimulating chromatic light or equal-energy white light for 2 hours daily over a 7-day treatment period. Following a 1-week washout, participants will cross over to the alternate condition. Outcomes will examine feasibility, changes in pain severity, pain interference, and measures of pain sensitivity. Total study duration is approximately 35 days.

Key Dates

First listed
Sep 17, 2026
Start date
Sep 21, 2026
Status verified
Sep 2026
Primary completion
Jan 1, 2028
Completion
Jan 1, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
40 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: S-cone stimulating chromatic light first followed by equal-energy white light
    Participants randomized to this sequence will receive S-cone stimulating chromatic light during the first treatment period, followed by equal-energy white (flickering along the L/M axis) light during the second treatment period. Each treatment period consists of 2 hours of daily light exposure for 7 consecutive days, ideally between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., delivered using programmed "TUO" light bulbs. The two treatment periods are separated by a 1-week washout period. Participants complete daily symptom surveys, patient-reported outcome measures, and quantitative sensory testing throughout the study.
  • Experimental: Equal-energy white light first followed by S-cone stimulating chromatic light
    Participants randomized to this sequence will receive equal-energy white light (flickering along the L/M axis) during the first treatment period, followed by S-cone stimulating chromatic light during the second treatment period. Each treatment period consists of 2 hours of daily light exposure for 7 consecutive days, ideally between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., delivered using programmed "TUO" light bulbs. The two treatment periods are separated by a 1-week washout period. Participants complete daily symptom surveys, patient-reported outcome measures, and quantitative sensory testing throughout the study.

Primary Outcome Measure

Percentage of participants completing follow-up visits after each intervention period [ Time Frame: Throughout study participation (35 days) ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth Carolina27514
Matt Mauck, MD, PhD
[email protected]
919-966-5136

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By research site
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill· Chapel Hill, NC

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