Could a simple light be the answer to itching?
NCT ID NCT07450716
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a non-invasive near-infrared LED light device can safely relieve itch. Twenty adults with acute or chronic itch will receive light treatments, and researchers will measure changes in itch intensity using a standard rating scale. The goal is to see if this gentle light therapy can reduce itch without side effects.
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
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Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
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About 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Apr 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- 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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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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: 1. Participant is an adult at least 18 years-of-age. 2. Participant meets the criteria for acute or chronic itch as defined below: 1. Acute itch lasting less than 6 weeks. 2. Chronic itch lasting more than 6 weeks. 3. Participant is able and willing to comply with all the study visit, treatment, and evaluation schedules and requirements. 4. Participant can understand and provide written informed consent. 5. Participant does not have any concurrent injury or wound in their target treatment area. 6. Participant is either untreated for their pruritus, or if on therapy, must have been maintained on a stable regimen of antipruritic treatments for the past 14 days prior to enrollment. 7. Participant has mild, moderate, or severe pruritus as defined below: 1. Mild: average score \<4 on the PP-NRS during the week before baseline. 2. Moderate: average score 4-7 on the PP-NRS during the week before baseline. 3. Severe: average score of \> 7 on the PP-NRS during the week before baseline. 8. Participants must have comparable pruritus affecting symmetrical or corresponding areas on both sides of their body to allow for the split-body study design. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Participant has any active internal or cutaneous malignancy located within the proposed treatment area. 2. Participant cannot provide informed consent or adhere to study schedule. 3. Participant is actively tanning during the study course. 4. Participant has melasma or another condition exacerbated by heat. 5. Participant is on a photosensitizing medication, such as doxycycline or has a photosensitizing condition. 6. Patient is currently pregnant or breastfeeding. 7. Participant has psychogenic pruritus, a diagnosed skin-picking (excoriation) disorder, or any other current psychiatric condition that, in the investigator's judgment, could interfere with informed consent, adherence to the study protocol, or safe participation. 8. Participant has any condition which, in the Investigator's opinion, would make it unsafe (for the participant or study personnel) to treat the participant as part of this study.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
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