This study is a randomized, control trial of Active Duty and DoD Beneficiaries, age 18 years or older, with complaints of hand osteoarthritis. Subjects will be randomized into one of two groups receiving either LLLT or sham LLLT. Subjects will receive LLLT or sham LLLT weekly over a period of six weeks. At each visit, patients will rate their pain using the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS) and assess their functionality using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. Subjects will have a follow up visit six weeks after the treatment protocol for a final assessment of pain and function. The Phoenix Thera-Lase laser is a Class II, 510k cleared device (#K151521) and is legally marketed in the US. Investigators are using in accordance with its approved labeling and no changes to the approved labeling are being sought.
This study is a randomized, control trial of Active Duty and DoD Beneficiaries, age 18 years or older, with complaints of hand osteoarthritis. Subjects will be randomized into one of two groups receiving either LLLT or sham LLLT. Subjects will receive LLLT or sham LLLT weekly over a period of six weeks. At each visit, patients will rate their pain using the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS) and assess their functionality using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. Subjects will have a follow up visit six weeks after the treatment protocol for a final assessment of pain and function. The Phoenix Thera-Lase laser is a Class II, 510k cleared device (#K151521) and is legally marketed in the US. Investigators are using in accordance with its approved labeling and no changes to the approved labeling are being sought. The Phoenix Thera-Lase System is intended to emit energy in the infrared spectrum to provide topical heating for the purpose of elevating tissue temperature for temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain, muscle spasm, pain and stiffness associated with minor arthritis, promoting relaxation of muscle tissue and to temporarily increase local blood circulation. It is specifically designed as a high-power laser with an output power of 35 Watts and an output wavelength of1064 nm. The study will be utilizing an output power of 74 Watts and an output wavelength of 1275 nm.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
83
Low level laser therapy (LLLT) using Phoenix Thera-lase device (74 Watts, 1275 nm wavelength) for 6 minutes per affected hand.
Sham LLLT using the Phoenix Thera-lase device with the guide light on but without emitting laser photons for 6 minutes per affected hand.
Mike O'Callaghan Military Medical Center
Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, United States
Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale
The DVPRS consists of an 11-point numerical rating scale with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating severe pain. It has been confirmed for reliability and validity in measuring both acute and chronic pain, and is currently the standard for pain measurement throughout DoD and VA health systems. The DVPRS has demonstrated linear scale qualities allowing parametric methods to be used
Time frame: visit 1 (Day 1) pre-treatment and immediately post-treatment *change same visit
Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale
The DVPRS consists of an 11-point numerical rating scale with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating severe pain. It has been confirmed for reliability and validity in measuring both acute and chronic pain, and is currently the standard for pain measurement throughout DoD and VA health systems. The DVPRS has demonstrated linear scale qualities allowing parametric methods to be used
Time frame: visit 2 (Week 1) pre-treatment and immediately post-treatment *change same visit
Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale
The DVPRS consists of an 11-point numerical rating scale with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating severe pain. It has been confirmed for reliability and validity in measuring both acute and chronic pain, and is currently the standard for pain measurement throughout DoD and VA health systems. The DVPRS has demonstrated linear scale qualities allowing parametric methods to be used
Time frame: visit 3 (Week 3) pre-treatment and immediately post-treatment *change same visit
Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale
The DVPRS consists of an 11-point numerical rating scale with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating severe pain. It has been confirmed for reliability and validity in measuring both acute and chronic pain, and is currently the standard for pain measurement throughout DoD and VA health systems. The DVPRS has demonstrated linear scale qualities allowing parametric methods to be used
Time frame: visit 4 (Week 4) pre-treatment and immediately post-treatment *change same visit
Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale
The DVPRS consists of an 11-point numerical rating scale with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating severe pain. It has been confirmed for reliability and validity in measuring both acute and chronic pain, and is currently the standard for pain measurement throughout DoD and VA health systems. The DVPRS has demonstrated linear scale qualities allowing parametric methods to be used
Time frame: visit 5 (Week 5) pre-treatment and immediately post-treatment *change same visit
Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale
The DVPRS consists of an 11-point numerical rating scale with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating severe pain. It has been confirmed for reliability and validity in measuring both acute and chronic pain, and is currently the standard for pain measurement throughout DoD and VA health systems. The DVPRS has demonstrated linear scale qualities allowing parametric methods to be used
Time frame: visit 6 (Week 6) pre-treatment and immediately post-treatment *change same visit
Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale
The DVPRS consists of an 11-point numerical rating scale with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating severe pain. It has been confirmed for reliability and validity in measuring both acute and chronic pain, and is currently the standard for pain measurement throughout DoD and VA health systems. The DVPRS has demonstrated linear scale qualities allowing parametric methods to be used
Time frame: visit 7 (Week 12)
Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand
The DASH is a 30-item questionnaire evaluating the ability of the patient to perform upper extremity activities. The questions are measured on a 5-point likert scale with 1 being no difficulty and 5 bring unable to perform the activity.
Time frame: visit 1 (day1) pre-treatment and immediately post-treatment *change same visit
Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand
The DASH is a 30-item questionnaire evaluating the ability of the patient to perform upper extremity activities. The questions are measured on a 5-point likert scale with 1 being no difficulty and 5 bring unable to perform the activity.
Time frame: visit 2 (week 2) pre-treatment and immediately post-treatment *change same visit
Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand
The DASH is a 30-item questionnaire evaluating the ability of the patient to perform upper extremity activities. The questions are measured on a 5-point likert scale with 1 being no difficulty and 5 bring unable to perform the activity.
Time frame: visit 3 (week 3) pre-treatment and immediately post-treatment *change same visit
Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand
The DASH is a 30-item questionnaire evaluating the ability of the patient to perform upper extremity activities. The questions are measured on a 5-point likert scale with 1 being no difficulty and 5 bring unable to perform the activity.
Time frame: visit 4 (week 4) pre-treatment and immediately post-treatment *change same visit
Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand
The DASH is a 30-item questionnaire evaluating the ability of the patient to perform upper extremity activities. The questions are measured on a 5-point likert scale with 1 being no difficulty and 5 bring unable to perform the activity.
Time frame: visit 5 (week 5) pre-treatment and immediately post-treatment *change same visit
Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand
The DASH is a 30-item questionnaire evaluating the ability of the patient to perform upper extremity activities. The questions are measured on a 5-point likert scale with 1 being no difficulty and 5 bring unable to perform the activity.
Time frame: visit 6 (week 6) pre-treatment and immediately post-treatment *change same visit
Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand
The DASH is a 30-item questionnaire evaluating the ability of the patient to perform upper extremity activities. The questions are measured on a 5-point likert scale with 1 being no difficulty and 5 bring unable to perform the activity.
Time frame: visit 7 (week 12)
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