Can a painless laser on the ear silence chronic pain in seniors?
NCT ID NCT07010627
First seen Aug 11, 2026 · Last updated Aug 12, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether a low-power laser applied to acupuncture points on the ear can reduce chronic pain in the knee, shoulder, or lower back in people aged 60 to 90. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either auricular laserpuncture or a traditional mustard-seed treatment, with pain and quality of life measured before, during, and after the sessions. The goal is to see if this non-invasive approach offers a quick, painless way to ease chronic pain and improve daily living for older adults.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Auricular laserpuncture (low-power red laser applied to acupuncture points on the ear)
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this could offer a non-invasive, painless, and quick treatment option for chronic pain in older adults, potentially improving their quality of life.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial, and results may not generalize. The comparison to mustard seeds is not a placebo, so any benefit might be due to the procedure's ritual or attention, not the laser itself.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for CHRONIC KNEE PAIN are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
UNIVAP- University of Paraiba Valley
São José dos Campos, São Paulo, 12244-390, Brazil
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a gentle squeeze supercharge shoulder rehab?
- Can a pain drug help you walk better with knee arthritis?
- Which therapy eases back pain disability best? a Head-to-Head trial
- Electric boost for back pain? trial tests stimulation plus exercise
- A stronger core, a lighter back? exercise trial targets chronic pain in older adults
- A pocket coach for back pain: can an app boost exercise adherence?