Study of the Use of Laser Light to Treat Osteoarthritis of the Hand.

TriTech Manufacturing

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Osteoarthritis

Treatments

Device: Ultra Probe Laser System

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Industry

Identifiers

NCT00254111

TT-OAV3-70505

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to determine whether low level light therapy is effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hand, when the treatment is applied to the hand by an individual in his or her own home.

Full description

Osteoarthritis of the hand is a disease that breaks down the cartilage and causes formation of new bone around the joints of the hand, resulting in pain, discomfort, and often lowered ability to move the affected joints. Existing methods of treatment for osteoarthritis of the hand include oral and topical medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy, assistive device use, braces and surgery. This study is intended to evaluate the effectiveness of at-home use of a low level laser device in reducing the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the hand.

Comparison(s): Active low level laser units in addition to rescue pain medication, compared to non-active ('fake') low level laser units in addition to rescue pain medication.

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Clinical and radiographic diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the hand.
Hand symptoms such as pain, aching and stiffness present across the prior six months.
Willingness to use only Tylenol to relieve hand symptoms during the study.
Primary spoken language is English.

Exclusion criteria

Current use of narcotics, opiates, morphine, steroids.
Previous surgery to the hand.
Infection or wound in the hand.
Involvement in litigation, worker's compensation claim or receiving disability benefits because of osteoarthritis of the hand.
Participation in a research study during the prior 90 days.
Pregnant or lactating.