Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years +
All Genders
ID06626334

Blue Light as an Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Strategy in Thoracic Trauma: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Adults With Rib Fractures

Led by Rebecca E Kotcher, MD · Updated on 2026-03-04

75

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

4 weeks

Total Duration

On this page

Sponsors

R

Rebecca E Kotcher, MD

Lead Sponsor

N

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Collaborating Sponsor

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating whether bright blue light therapy can help reduce pain and inflammation in adults with painful rib fractures. The study compares the effects of bright blue light therapy, bright white light therapy, and usual hospital lighting on pain control alongside standard pain treatments. The main question is whether adding bright blue light therapy improves pain experienced during breathing in these patients. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: bright blue light therapy, bright white light therapy, or usual ambient light. Those in the blue and white light groups will receive 4 hours of light therapy each morning or early afternoon for up to 3 days while hospitalized. The usual light group will be exposed only to the hospital's normal lighting conditions during this time. During the study, participants will rate their pain at rest and during deep breaths twice daily. They will also be monitored for delirium and have blood samples taken daily to assess inflammation and circadian rhythm markers. The primary outcome is chest wall pain intensity measured up to 72 hours. Safety and other health outcomes will be tracked over 30 days, and the total participation spans the hospital stay and immediate follow-up.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Blue Light as an Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Strategy in Thoracic Trauma

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years +
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Age greater than or equal to 18 years
  • Admitted to a single large academic level I trauma center within 48 hours of traumatic injury
  • At least 1 acute rib fracture
  • Pain related to rib fracture with at least one of: pain 4 or higher out of 10 at rest, pain 4 or higher with incentive spirometer use, or inspiratory volume less than 1000 cc
  • Anticipated hospital stay of at least 48 hours
  • Alert and able to provide informed consent
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Receiving mechanical ventilation or non-invasive positive pressure ventilation before consent
  • Delirium at time of consent
  • Ocular trauma affecting light therapy
  • Traumatic brain injury, history of TBI, or stroke affecting light therapy
  • Splenectomy upon admission or history of splenectomy affecting light therapy
  • Significant ocular dysfunction such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, or cataracts
  • History of cataract surgery (possible blue light filtering lens)
  • History of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia
  • History of dementia or other conditions preventing reliable pain or delirium assessment
  • Conditions preventing opening eyes for light therapy or reporting pain score
  • Corrected myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism with glasses or contacts not excluded

AI-Screening

AI-Powered Screening

Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility

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Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person)

Implementation

Duration - Up to 3 days

Participants receive light therapy using a specialized lamp at bedside for 4 hours daily during the morning or early afternoon hours. This intervention is repeated for up to 3 days depending on the assigned group.

Daily sessions for up to 3 days

Follow-up

Duration - Up to 30 days

Participants are monitored for pain intensity, opioid use, inflammatory markers, and incidence of complications for up to 30 days after light therapy.

Assessments twice daily for up to 3 days; daily assessments up to 30 days

Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

Presbyterian Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

R

Rebecca E Kotcher, MD

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

NONE

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Model

PARALLEL

Primary Purpose

TREATMENT

Number of Arms

3

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Published Research Related To This Trial

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John E Griepentrog, Xianghong Zhang, Anthony J Lewis...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31379019

Blue Light as an Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Strategy in Thoracic Trauma (BLAASTT): protocol for a randomised controlled trial in adult trauma inpatients with painful rib fractures.

Rebecca E Kotcher, Matthew R Rosengart, Luca La Colla...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40912706