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NOT YET RECRUITING

NCT07450716

EARLY_PHASE1

Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Photobiomodulation for the Treatment of Pruritus

Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

View on ClinicalTrials.gov

Summary

This study is designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a low-level near-infrared LED light device for relieving itch. The device is non-invasive, does not break the skin, and does not produce heat. Near-infrared light has been used in other medical settings and is known to interact with skin and nerve pathways. In this study, researchers are examining whether this light can be safely applied to the skin and whether it may help reduce itch by affecting signals involved in itch sensation.

Key Details

Gender

All

Age Range

18 Years - Any

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Enrollment

Start Date

2026-03

Completion Date

2026-12

Last Updated

2026-03-05

Healthy Volunteers

Conditions

Pruritus

Interventions

DEVICE

Light-emitting diode (LED) Photobiomodulation (PBM) device

Near-infrared light treatment will be administered to an area on the body experiencing itch.

OTHER

Placebo

Matching placebo delivered by placing the device above the skin on an area contralateral to the treatment area without activating it.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Participant is an adult at least 18 years-of-age. 2. Participant meets the criteria for acute or chronic itch as defined below: 1. Acute itch lasting less than 6 weeks. 2. Chronic itch lasting more than 6 weeks. 3. Participant is able and willing to comply with all the study visit, treatment, and evaluation schedules and requirements. 4. Participant can understand and provide written informed consent. 5. Participant does not have any concurrent injury or wound in their target treatment area. 6. Participant is either untreated for their pruritus, or if on therapy, must have been maintained on a stable regimen of antipruritic treatments for the past 14 days prior to enrollment. 7. Participant has mild, moderate, or severe pruritus as defined below: 1. Mild: average score \<4 on the PP-NRS during the week before baseline. 2. Moderate: average score 4-7 on the PP-NRS during the week before baseline. 3. Severe: average score of \> 7 on the PP-NRS during the week before baseline. 8. Participants must have comparable pruritus affecting symmetrical or corresponding areas on both sides of their body to allow for the split-body study design. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Participant has any active internal or cutaneous malignancy located within the proposed treatment area. 2. Participant cannot provide informed consent or adhere to study schedule. 3. Participant is actively tanning during the study course. 4. Participant has melasma or another condition exacerbated by heat. 5. Participant is on a photosensitizing medication, such as doxycycline or has a photosensitizing condition. 6. Patient is currently pregnant or breastfeeding. 7. Participant has psychogenic pruritus, a diagnosed skin-picking (excoriation) disorder, or any other current psychiatric condition that, in the investigator's judgment, could interfere with informed consent, adherence to the study protocol, or safe participation. 8. Participant has any condition which, in the Investigator's opinion, would make it unsafe (for the participant or study personnel) to treat the participant as part of this study.

Locations (1)

Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, United States