Photobiomodulation for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (NCT07613489) | Clinical Trial Compass
Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable
Photobiomodulation for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Pakistan36 participantsStarted 2026-02-01
Plain-language summary
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of long-term diabetes, affecting approximately 50 percent of patients. It causes tingling, numbness, and burning pain primarily in the feet, which reduces quality of life. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), also known as low-level laser therapy, is a non-invasive treatment that may improve nerve function by reducing inflammation and promoting cellular repair. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of PBMT in improving nerve function and quality of life in patients with DPN. A total of 36 participants with type 2 diabetes and DPN will be randomly assigned to either a treatment group receiving PBMT (900 nm wavelength, 25W, 1000 Hz frequency) or a control group receiving sham laser therapy. The intervention will be applied to the dorsum and plantar surface of the foot every other day for 6 weeks. Outcomes include pain intensity measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Neuropathic pain measured by Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic symptoms and signs scale, Nerve function measured by Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument and quality of life measured by the NORFOLK QOL DN questionnaire, assessed at baseline and after the intervention period.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus
* Diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy
* Age 18 years or older
* Male and female participants
* Pain duration of 6 months or more
* Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) score of 3 or greater out of 10 at baseline
* No acute infections at the time of enrollment
Exclusion Criteria:
* Skin lesions, infections, or ulcers in the treatment area
* Severe heart disease or kidney dysfunction
* Mental illness or malignant tumors
* Presence of pacemaker or implanted electrical device
* Chronic alcohol or drug abuse
* Patients unwilling to provide informed consent
* Pregnancy
* Post-surgical cases (heart or brain surgery) within 30 days
* History of stroke
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in Pain Intensity
Timeframe: Baseline and Week 2 (post-intervention)