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Light Therapy for Rib Fracture Pain

This study is looking at whether different types of light therapy can help adults with painful rib fractures. Researchers want to see if bright blue light, in addition to standard pain treatments, can improve pain when you breathe. You would receive either bright blue light, bright full-spectrum (white) light, or usual room lighting conditions. All participants will also receive standard pain relief. The study aims to enroll 75 adults aged 18 or older who have at least one acute rib fracture and pain related to it, admitted to a specific trauma center.

Study design
This is an interventional study comparing three different light treatments. It plans to enroll 75 participants.
What's involved
Your pain intensity with incentive spirometer use will be assessed twice daily for up to 72 hours.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your pain will be monitored for up to 72 hours after starting the study.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06626334

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

Terminated
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
Rebecca E Kotcher, MD
~27 participants
Updated 2026-08-24 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Bright Blue LightBright Full-Spectrum (White) LightUsual Ambient Light

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Chest wall pain intensity, with incentive spirometer use
Measured over Up to 72 hours (assessed twice daily)

Conditions

Rib Fractures
Pain, Acute

Explore related trials

PainRib Fracture

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Pennsylvania1

Study leadership

  • Rebecca E Kotcher, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Pittsburgh

Who to contact

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Age greater than or equal to 18 years
Admitted to a single large academic level I trauma center (Presbyterian/Montefiore hospital) within the first 48 hours of traumatic injury
Greater than or equal to 1 acute rib fracture
Pain related to rib fracture(s), by one or more of the following criteria: 1. Pain \>/= 4/10 at rest, 2. Pain \>/= 4/10 with incentive spirometer (IS) use, and/or 3. Inspiratory volume \< 1000 cc
Anticipated length of stay greater than or equal to 48 hours
Alert, with capacity to provide informed consent

Exclusion

Mechanical ventilation\* or non-invasive positive pressure ventilation administered for respiratory insufficiency prior to the time of informed consent
Delirium (positive CAM screening) at the time of informed consent
Ocular trauma, which may interfere with the mechanism of action
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) or history of TBI or stroke, which may interfere with the mechanism of action
Splenectomy upon admission or history of splenectomy, which may interfere with the mechanism of action
History of significant ocular dysfunction\*\* (i.e., macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts), which may interfere with the mechanism of action
History of cataract surgery, due to the possibility of blue light filtering intraocular lens placement
History of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, which could increase the risk of an adverse reaction to light exposure (i.e., acute mania)
History of dementia, which would compromise the reliability of pain intensity and delirium measures
Or other condition in which a patient cannot open eyes to receive light intervention or report a pain score \*\*Myopia, hyperopia, and/or astigmatism corrected for with contact lenses or spectacle corrective eyeglasses will NOT be a criterion for exclusion

What this trial measures

  • Chest wall pain intensity, with incentive spirometer useUp to 72 hours (assessed twice daily)

    Chest wall pain intensity with deep breathing will be measured using the Numerical Rating Scale, elicited when the participant is taking a full tidal volume breath using their incentive spirometer. The Numerical Rating Scale is an 11-point scale ranging from 0 to 10, with 0 representing no pain and 10 representing the worst pain imaginable. The scale will then be assessed at multiple timepoints during the 72 hour period of active study participation including twice daily on up to three intervention days (study days 1-3) and once on the morning following the final intervention day (study day 4 or day of discharge). Pain scale values over time will be compared across study arms.