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CompletedNCT05097222Updated May 29, 2024

Impact of Photobiomodulation on Objective, Physiological Measures of Brain Function in Individuals With Post-Concussion Syndrome

An interventional study of BioFlex Dualport System and Sham device in Post-Concussive Syndrome, Chronic, Post-Concussion Syndrome and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, sponsored by Dr George Medvedev. Completed at 2 sites in Canada. Open to participants aged 19 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-05-29.

Sponsored by Dr George Medvedev · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
19
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
19 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) uses light to influence the mitochondria of cells. PBMT of the brain enhances the metabolic capacity of neurons and stimulates anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant responses, as well as neurogenesis and synaptogenesis. Its therapeutic role in disorders such as dementia and Parkinson's disease, as well as to treat stroke, brain trauma, and depression has gained increasing interest.

BioFlex is a form of PBMT consisting of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes. BioFlex utilizes red and near infrared light which penetrates tissues up to a certain tissue depth and studies have shown stimulates tissue growth and repair at the cellular level. PBMT has been proven useful for the treatment of soft tissue pain. Several studies have shown benefit in using PBMT in the treatment of certain neurological conditions, including chronic, mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

The purpose of this exploratory investigation, therefore, is to examine efficacy of BioFlex laser therapy on measures of brain function in patients suffering from PCS after mild-moderate, closed-head, traumatic brain injury cases.

02

Conditions studied

  • Post-Concussive Syndrome, Chronic
  • Post-Concussion Syndrome
  • Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
19 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  1. Male or female, at least 19 years of age or older
  2. Diagnosis of persistent post-concussional syndrome after ≥3 months of traumatic brain injury, based on the ICD-10 criteria. This diagnosis should be given to the patient from a clinical practitioner. ICD-10 clinical criteria require a history of TBI and the presence of three or more of the following eight symptoms: 1) headache, 2) dizziness, 3) fatigue, 4) irritability, 5) insomnia, 6) concentration or 7) memory difficulty, and 8) intolerance of stress, emotion, or alcohol.
  3. Current pharmacologic management can remain stable throughout the protocol.
  4. Fluent in English
  5. Able to understand the informed consent form, study procedures and willing to participate in study.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Malignant skin carcinoma within the treatment area (neck and cranium)
  2. Intake of photosensitizing medication.
  3. Prior history of PBMT therapy
  4. Current diagnosis of severe anxiety (or score of ≥15 on the GAD-7), severe depression (or score of ≥20 on the PHQ-9), schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
  5. History of other major neurological disorder (brain cancer, dementia, multiple sclerosis, stroke)
  6. Diagnosed epilepsy or history of seizures not effectively controlled by medications
  7. Exposed to an investigational drug or device 30 days prior to starting the study, or concurrent use of an investigational drug or device while enrolled in the study
  8. Pregnant, suspected to be pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study
  9. Contraindicated for the NeuroCatch® Platform 2, including:

9.1. Requires the use of hearing aids or a cochlear implant 9.2. Diagnosed with tinnitus that is currently active 9.3. Has temporary damage to hearing (e.g. punctured ear drum) 9.4. Unable to detect a 740Hz tone played at 85dB in both ears. 9.5. Implanted pacemaker or implanted electrical stimulators 9.6. Metal or plastic implants in the skull, excluding dental/facial implants 9.7. Unhealthy scalp (apparent open wounds and/or bruised or weakened skin) 9.8. Previous exposure to the NeuroCatch® Platform 2 audio sequences in the last 3 months

04

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double (Participant, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
19 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Active PBMT

    Participants will receive 50minutes of PBMT, three times a week, for 8 weeks.

    Device: BioFlex Dualport System

  • Sham comparator
    Sham PBMT

    Participants will receive 50minutes of Sham PBMT, three times a week, for 8 weeks. The Sham device will appear to function like the treatment device without providing any power intensity (0% power). At 0% power, no light is emitted from the LEDs.

    Device: Sham device

Interventions

  • DeviceBioFlex Dualport System

    The device consists of a laptop computer preprogrammed with the Bioflex® Practitioner+ Software, the Bioflex® DUO 180+ array pad that has 180 bicolour Light Emitting Diodes (LED) that emit red and near infrared light, and two laser probes, the LD-R 100 that emits red light, and the LD-I 200 that emits near infrared light.

    Also known as: Photobiomodulation

  • DeviceSham device

    Control

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Response size of selected ERPs (N100, P300, N400) acquired using the NeuroCatch Platform 2

    Event-related potentials (ERPs)

    Time frame: Visit 1/Baseline to Visit 3/End of Treatment (8 weeks)

  2. Response timing of selected ERPs (N100, P300, N400) acquired using the NeuroCatch Platform 2

    Event-related potentials (ERPs)

    Time frame: Visit 1/Baseline to Visit 3/End of Treatment (8 weeks)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Number of adverse events

    Frequency and severity of adverse events

    Time frame: Visit 1/Baseline to Visit 3/End of Treatment (8 weeks)

  2. Number of adverse device effects

    Frequency and severity of adverse device effects

    Time frame: Visit 1/Baseline to Visit 3/End of Treatment (8 weeks)

  3. Pain Catastrophizing Scale Score

    Mean, standard deviation, and assessment of variance. It is a 13-item scale, with a total range of 0 to 52. Higher scores are associated with higher amounts of pain catastrophizing.

    Time frame: Visit 1/Baseline to Visit 3/End of Treatment (8 weeks)

  4. Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire Score

    Mean, standard deviation, and assessment of variance. Scored on a scale of 0-64 where higher scores reflect greater severity of post concussive symptoms.

    Time frame: Visit 1/Baseline to Visit 3/End of Treatment (8 weeks)

06

Study locations

2 sites
  • Center for Neurology Studies
    Surrey, British Columbia V3V 0C6, Canada
  • Meditech Rehabilitation Centre
    Etobicoke, Ontario M8W 4W3, Canada
07

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT05097222
Lead sponsor
Dr George Medvedev
Collaborators
MediTech International Inc.
Responsible party
Dr George Medvedev (Sponsor-Investigator, HealthTech Connex Inc.) — Sponsor-investigator
First posted
Oct 28, 2021
Start date
Jan 27, 2022
Primary completion
Dec 13, 2023
Completion
Dec 13, 2023
Last update
May 29, 2024

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
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