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Green Light for Post-Operative Wellness

Green Light Therapy to Reduce Pain and Promote Wellness After Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Adult Post-Operative Patients

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
18 Years and older
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

Not stated in the study description — ask the study team about visits and procedures.

Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study tests whether bright green light, added to care after surgery, helps with pain and recovery compared with dim white light. It will also measure opioid pain medicine use, sleep, and mood. It is for adults having surgery through small cuts or with robotic tools at UPMC Shadyside Hospital.

This is an unblinded, parallel group randomized controlled trial to evaluate bright green light as an adjunct therapy after surgery at UPMC Shadyside. The primary outcome measure will be pain intensity with secondary outcome measures including opioid requirements, sleep quality, mood, and overall post-operative recovery. Specific aims/hypotheses for this study are as follows: Aim 1: To assess bright green light therapy's potential as a complementary post-operative analgesic strategy in patients recovering from surgery Hypothesis 1: Participants exposed to bright green light, in comparison to dim white (ambient) light, will have improved postoperative pain scores and lower opioid use. Aim 2: To examine the impact of bright green light therapy on patient-centered measures of post-operative recovery that may be related to improved circadian function. Hypothesis 2: Participants exposed to bright green light, in comparison to dim white (ambient) light, will have improved quality of post-operative recovery, enhanced sleep, and reduced anxiety and depression.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • Age 18 or older.
  • Plan to have surgery through small cuts (laparoscopic surgery) or with robotic tools at UPMC Shadyside Hospital.
  • Expect to stay in the hospital for at least 48 hours after surgery.
  • Can speak and read English fluently, agree to join the study, and complete surveys without help.

Who can't join

  • Pregnant.
  • Major eye problems that could affect how light therapy works, such as glaucoma, eye injury, damage to the back of the eye, or cataracts (cloudy lenses). Problems corrected by glasses or contact lenses do not exclude you.
  • Major brain or nerve disease that could affect pain checks or how light therapy works, such as a brain injury, stroke, or a disease that damages nerves over time.
  • A history of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, because light exposure could trigger a harmful reaction, such as an episode of extreme energy or excitement.
  • A history of surgery to remove the spleen, which would affect how the therapy works.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Age \>/= 18 years * Planned to undergo laparoscopic or robotic surgery at UPMC Shadyside Hospital * Anticipated post-operative length of stay \>/= 48 hours * Able to speak and read English fluently, with the capacity to provide informed consent and complete the associated surveys independently Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy * History of significant ocular issues/dysfunction (†‡ ) (e.g., glaucoma, ocular trauma, macular degeneration, cataracts) that would interfere with the ocular mechanism of action * History of significant neurological disease (‡) (e.g., traumatic brain injury, stroke, neurodegenerative disease) that would compromise the reliability of pain screening and/or interfere with the central mechanism of action * History of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, which could increase the risk of an adverse reaction to light exposure (i.e., acute mania) * History of splenectomy, which would interfere with the mechanism of action * Ocular issues corrected with contact lenses or spectacle corrective eyeglasses will NOT be considered a criterion for exclusion ‡Unclear cases will be at the discretion of the PI

Study sites (1)

PA