Evaluation of Physiological Effects Induced by Low Level Light Irradiation on the Acupoints of the Hand (Acupuncture)

National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Low-level Laser Therapy; Acupuncture; Insomnia; Anxiety

Treatments: Other: LEDs and laser light

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07190417

YM109166F

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and LED-based low-level light therapy (LLLT) are effective in inducing relaxation and improving sleep quality and anxiety levels in individuals with insomnia. It aims to evaluate the potential of both light sources to elicit comparable physiological changes in relation to acupoint stimulation.

The main questions this trial aims to answer are:

Does exposure to low-level laser or LED light therapy on specific acupoints associated with insomnia result in similar changes in heart rate variability and meridian energy? How does skin pigmentation affect the penetration of different wavelength light sources used in LLLT? Primary hypothesis 1: Low-level LED light therapy is comparable to laser therapy in terms of effectiveness.

Primary hypothesis 2: With proper design, both treatments will elicit similar changes in meridian energy and heart rate variability.

Researchers will compare the effects of low-level laser and LED light therapy on 60 participants, divided into two groups: 30 healthy participants receiving either low-level laser/sham laser or low-level LED/sham LED light exposure and 30 participants with brown to black skin tones receiving different LED and laser specifications.

Participants will:

Undergo either low-level laser/sham laser or low-level LED/sham LED light exposure on specific acupoints.

Have their heart rate variability and meridian energy levels measured before and after the intervention.

Have their skin pigmentation measured to assess light penetration with various wavelengths.

This study seeks to establish a stronger link between acupoint stimulation, light therapy, and sleep neuroscience, potentially offering an alternative therapeutic approach for insomnia that complements existing pharmacological interventions.

Full description

Research Background： In recent years, acupuncture has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for improving sleep quality in menopausal women, particularly in addressing the challenging aspect of deepening sleep. This has led to an increased focus on acupunctural treatments, including acupoint stimulation, as a potential solution for insomnia. However, with increasingly stringent medical regulations, even non-invasive low-level laser therapy, despite its significantly safer profile compared to traditional acupuncture needles, faces substantial regulatory hurdles.

Meanwhile, novel LED technology presents a compelling alternative to lasers. Compared to lasers of equivalent power, LEDs boast lower costs, energy consumption, and operating temperatures without compromising therapeutic efficacy. This makes LED-based low-level light therapy (LLLT) a highly promising approach, especially for applications where diverse medical needs are present, such as in organizations like NASA.

This study is a preliminary investigation into the application of acupoint light therapy within the realm of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for managing insomnia and anxiety. The objective is to evaluate the potential of both low-level laser therapy and low-level LED light therapy, under similar power and wavelength conditions, to induce comparable physiological changes and consequently improve sleep quality and alleviate anxiety.

Specifically, this research will examine whether exposure to either light source results in similar relaxation effects by analyzing relevant physiological indicators like heart rate variability parameters and conductive meridian (Jingluo) parameters - a measure of electrical resistance along meridians. Furthermore, this study will address the understudied influence of skin pigmentation on LLLT by conducting optical experiments to determine the penetration depth of light sources with varying wavelengths through different skin types. This will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the application of LLLT in acupoint stimulation.

Research Objectives:

Investigate the effects of low-level laser and LED light therapy on acupoints associated with insomnia in the hands, using heart rate variability parameters and conductive meridian resistance (Jingluo) measurements as assessment tools.

Clarify the influence of skin pigmentation on the propagation of low-level laser and LED light by using a light power meter to quantify the difference in light transmission through darker and lighter skin types for various wavelengths.

Hypothesis:

Low-level LED light therapy is comparable to laser therapy in terms of its effectiveness. With proper design, both treatments will elicit similar changes in meridian energy and heart rate variability.

Data and Methods:

A total of 90 participants will be recruited for this study, divided into two groups:

Group 1: Consists of 30 healthy participants who will undergo either low-level laser/sham laser or low-level LED/sham LED light exposure. Changes in meridian energy and heart rate variability will be assessed after the intervention. Participants in this group will also be required to undergo pre- and post-light exposure measurements using different LED and laser specifications.

Group 2: Includes 30 participants with skin tones ranging from brown to black, categorized using the Fitzpatrick skin type scale. They will also undergo pre- and post-light exposure measurements using different LED and laser specifications.

Expected Results:

This study anticipates observing changes in meridian resistance and heart rate variability parameters following the application of low-level light stimulation to acupoints. By evaluating the penetration of light sources of various wavelengths through different human tissues, the study aims to establish a stronger link between LLLT and physiological indicators related to relaxation.

Significance:

This research aims to create a stronger connection between the practices of TCM acupoint stimulation, light therapy, and sleep neuroscience. The findings have the potential to provide an alternative therapeutic option for individuals suffering from insomnia, complementing existing pharmacologic interventions.

Enrollment: 120 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 65 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. No use of sleeping pills within the past 3 months.
2. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) < 5 points.
3. Body Mass Index (BMI): 18.5 < BMI < 30.
4. Blood pressure: within normal range (<140 mmHg/90 mmHg).
5. Individuals with regular wake-sleep times: bedtime between 22:00 and 02:00.

Exclusion criteria

1. Individuals with insomnia and other sleep disorders.
2. Exclude those currently taking medications.
3. Individuals with cardiovascular diseases, cancer, psychiatric disorders, kidney diseases, diabetes, chronic illnesses, and physical discomfort.
4. Exclude individuals with addictions to smoking, alcohol, caffeine, and drugs.
5. Individuals with light sensitive skin.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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120 participants in 3 patient groups

Preliminary experiment on low-energy laser acupuncture for insomnia (healthy subjects, single-blind)

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of low-energy LED therapy on acupoints in treating insomnia, considering Fitzpatrick skin type variations. Methods: 90 participants (Fitzpatrick types I-VI) from National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University will be recruited. Participants will receive either low-energy LED or sham therapy for 25 minutes, twice, in a controlled environment. Heart rate variability, meridian energy, and light penetration will be measured before, during, and after the intervention. Note: This version removes unnecessary details about the time of day, temperature, and eye safety. It focuses on the core elements of the study: the intervention, the participants, the measurements, and the overall objective.

Treatment:

Other: LEDs and laser light

Preliminary experiment on the use of low-energy LED for acupuncture for insomnia (Double-blind)

Sham Comparator group

Description:

This experiment is similar to Experiment A, but the sham light intervention will use a sham device. The design will be double-blind. Experiment personnel (B) will randomly assign participants to wear either the low-energy LED device or the sham device. Experiment personnel (A) will assist participants in wearing the devices and measuring signals. Prior to the completion of the experiment, personnel (A) will not be aware of which device (LED or sham) is actually emitting light (the near-infrared light from the LED is difficult to see even with the naked eye after scattering). The low-energy LED device and the sham device will have identical indicator lights, operating cycles, and sound indicators.

Treatment:

Other: LEDs and laser light

To investigate how light from LEDs and lasers penetrates different skin types.

Experimental group

Description:

This study will investigate how light from LEDs and lasers penetrates different skin types. Participants: 90 participants (Fitzpatrick Skin Types I-VI) will be recruited from National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University. 60 participants will be from previous experiments, and 30 from international students. Procedure: Categorize participants into six groups based on Fitzpatrick skin type. Measure initial light power of the LED and laser sources. Mark a target point on the participant's earlobe or ear cartilage. Measure the thickness of the earlobe/cartilage. Measure light power after penetrating through the earlobe/cartilage. Calculate light power reduction (attenuation) for LED and laser interventions. Analyze light transmission percentages across Fitzpatrick skin types to assess LED light penetration suitability. Goal: To determine if light penetration is affected by skin color.

Treatment:

Other: LEDs and laser light