Light Therapy for Osteoarthritis

This trial aims to explore whether green light therapy can reduce knee pain from osteoarthritis by affecting how the brain processes pain. Researchers will divide participants into two groups: one will receive light therapy (also known as Circadian Focused Light Therapy, Bright Light Therapy, or Phototherapy), and the other will not. Both groups will keep pain diaries and undergo brain scans. The light therapy group will use two different colors of light daily for 20 weeks. Individuals with knee osteoarthritis who experience significant knee pain and can undergo MRI scans might be a good fit for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research in pain management.

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it requires stable pain medication use for the previous 14 days. This suggests you should continue your current medications without changes.

Research has shown that light therapy, particularly with LED lights, is generally safe and easy to use. Studies have found that this therapy can reduce pain without causing side effects. For instance, one study discovered that high-density LED light significantly lessened pain after treatment compared to before. Another study found that low-intensity LED therapy is non-invasive and has no side effects, making it a safe choice for easing both short-term and long-term pain.

Researchers are excited about light therapy for osteoarthritis because it offers a non-invasive alternative to standard treatments like NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and physical therapy. Unlike these options, light therapy uses different colors of light to potentially reduce pain and inflammation by affecting brain activity, as seen through MRI scans. This approach is particularly appealing because it avoids the side effects associated with medications and might offer a novel way to manage pain by harnessing the body's own response to light.

Research shows that green light therapy may help reduce pain for conditions like migraines and fibromyalgia. Early studies suggest this therapy might work by altering the brain's perception of pain. Tests with animals and some human studies found that exposure to green light led to noticeable pain relief. In this trial, participants in the light therapy group will use both white and green light to explore its effects on osteoarthritis (OA). Light therapy aims to repair cells and reduce swelling, which can ease joint pain. Although the exact mechanism of how green light reduces pain remains unclear, early results are promising for its potential to help people with OA.¹²³⁶⁷