Laser light may soothe sore nipples for breastfeeding moms
NCT ID NCT04259619
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether low-level laser therapy can reduce pain and help heal sore, cracked nipples in breastfeeding women. About 96 women with painful nipple lesions were randomly assigned to receive either real laser or a placebo light treatment. The goal was to see if the laser could ease pain and speed wound healing, potentially helping mothers breastfeed longer.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Low-Level Laser Therapy
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, low-risk way to ease pain and speed healing for sore nipples, helping mothers breastfeed longer.
- What could go wrong
- The trial was terminated early with only 96 participants, so results are limited. The placebo device also emits red light, which may have some effect, making it hard to prove the laser's benefit.
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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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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96 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Mar 2020
- 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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Female participants only
- 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: * signed written informed consent form * breast-feeding or pumping participant with painful nipple lesions * 18 years or older Exclusion Criteria: * contraindication for the class of medical device used or intervention being performed e.g. known hypersensitivity or allergy against the medical device or class of medical device * missing willingness to take part in the study * hepatitis B or C positive * human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive * intake of immunosuppressive drugs * epilepsy * dark or tattooed skin * lacking German or English skills * mamma carcinoma in past medical history * severe infection (C-reactive protein (CRP) \>200mg/l; leucocytes \>20000/ul)
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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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University Hospital Zurich
Zurich, Canton of Zurich, 8091, Switzerland