Can a light device help soldiers heal broken bones faster?
NCT ID NCT05843864
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jul 16, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study tested whether adding photobiomodulation (light therapy) to standard physical therapy helps military trainees with leg stress fractures heal faster. 105 participants received either real or sham light therapy for up to 6 weeks, and researchers tracked how quickly they returned to duty. The goal was to see if this non-invasive treatment could reduce pain and speed recovery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- photobiomodulation therapy (light therapy device)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a safe, drug-free way to speed up recovery from stress fractures in active-duty personnel.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed trial with no phase designation, so results may not apply broadly. The sham control means any benefit might be due to placebo or natural healing.
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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103 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jun 2023
- Finished
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Aug 2025
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a US federal agency other than the NIH.
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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17 to 64 years
- 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: * between ages 17-64 (inclusive) years old * Currently completing Advanced Individual Training (AIT) training at Fort Sam Houston and at least 6 weeks prior to graduation * Clinical diagnosis of metatarsal or medial tibial bone stress injury/stress fracture (unilateral or bilateral) by a healthcare provider based on accepted diagnostic criteria, with diagnostic imaging confirmation * Able to read and understand English language for consent purposes * Able to commit to study intervention and follow-up Exclusion Criteria: * Stress fracture to tibia that is not medial (e.g., anterior) or any location other than 5th metatarsal or medial tibia * Has already become a severe non-union bone stress injury/fracture * Received dry needling within the past 4 weeks * Received Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injection, corticosteroid injection, or prolotherapy within the past 3 months * Diagnosis of neuropathy affecting sensation to pain * Current or chronic sciatica (lumbosacral radiculopathy) resulting in chronic or intermittent lower extremity pain, numbness, or tingling (all below the knee) * Current or previous diagnosis of eating disorder (e.g., bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, disordered eating, or other eating disorder not specified) * Diagnosis of porphyria (light induced allergy) or photosensitive eczema * Diagnosis of autoimmune disease (e.g., Lupus) * Albinism * Current use of anti-inflammatory steroids due to increased risk of Bone Stress Injury (BSI) with the past two weeks * Current use of medications associated with sensitivity to heat or light in the past five days (e.g., amiodarone, chlorpromazine, doxycycline, hydrochlorothiazide, nalidixic acid, naproxen, piroxicam, tetracycline, thioridazine, voriconazole) * Previous or current (within the past 2 years) use of Depo Provera * Current use of pacemaker * Tattoo in the area of treatment due to sensitivity to Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) * Concurrent participation in another research study receiving treatment for metatarsal or medial tibial bone stress injury/stress fracture * Currently pregnant or plan to become pregnant during intervention period (safety of PBMT not established in pregnancy) * Current diagnosis or symptoms of amenorrhea (≥ 6 months without a menstrual period) or oligomenorrhea (only 4-9 menstrual periods in a year)
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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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Brooke Army Medical Center
San Antonio, Texas, 78219, United States