Laser test could objectively measure nerve pain for first time
NCT ID NCT06030297
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a diode laser can act as a biomarker to measure neuropathic pain in people with peripheral neuropathy. Researchers compared pain responses to a lidocaine patch versus a placebo patch in 75 participants. The goal was to see if the laser test could distinguish between real pain relief and placebo effects.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- lidocaine patch (ZTlido 1.8%)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could provide a reliable way to objectively measure nerve pain, helping doctors diagnose and treat it more effectively.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study focused on measurement, not treatment. The laser test may not prove accurate enough for widespread use.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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75 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Sep 2023
- Finished
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Feb 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion criteria for Objective 1 (Healthy Controls) 1. 18-70 years of age 2. no complaints of peripheral neuropathy or other foot pain 3. no medical history of disease or medication use associated with peripheral neuropathy (e.g. diabetes) 4. DLss 3-questions and sharp sensation testing indicate neuropathy is not present. 4a Do you have persistent numbness or tingling in your feet? 4b Do you have pain in your feet that is not due to an orthopedic injury or lesions to skin/toenails? 4c Do you have problems with your balance? 5) no known allergy to lidocaine Inclusion Criteria for Objective 2 - Neuropathy Correlation 1. . 18 years of age and older 2. Length dependent, sensory predominant, peripheral neuropathy from any non-acute acquired cause (e.g. diabetes, pre-diabetes, chemotherapy induced), OR musculoskeletal pain from plantar fasciitis or ankle sprain. Inclusion Criteria for Cross Over 1. 18 years old or older: 2. Pain rating on Average Visual Analog Scale (VAS) \> 30mm or Worst Visual Analog Scale (VAS) \> 40mm 3. UENS score greater than or equal to 4 or a length dependent, sensory predominant, peripheral neuropathy from any non-acute acquired cause based on the opinion of the investigator: Exclusion Criteria: 1. Current peripheral neuropathy that is rapidly changing (e.g. Guillain Barre syndrome or glucose correction neuropathy) : 2. Severe liver disease (ie: untreated/active hepatitis) : 3. Currently receiving chemotherapy: 4. Recent or planned change in neuropathic pain medication during study (approximately 7 weeks) : 5. Structural defects in foot that result in participant being unable to differentiate between neuropathic pain and another source of pain (ie: plantar fasciitis, arthritis) : 6. Unable to comply with protocol requirements or is at undue risk as judged by the investigator : Exclusion Criteria for Patch Cross Over 1. Known allergy to topical lidocaine or other patch ingredients (ie adhesive, butylated hydroxytoluene, dipropylene glycol, silicon dioxide, styrene/isoprene/sytrene copolymer): 2. Use of topical lidocaine patch or other topical neuropathic pain creams on feet (e.g. capsaicin) : 3. Taking medications similar to lidocaine or with anti-arrhythmic properties (ie: tocainide or mexiletine) : 4. Known allergy to lidocaine or other para-aminobenzoic acid derivative (e.g. procaine, tetracaine, benzocaine) :
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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
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Stanford University
Palo Alto, California, 94305, United States
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University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84132, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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