Light Irradiation and Outcome for Neuropathic Pain

Background. Sympathetically maintained pain (SMP) can be effectively relieved by light irradiation to the area near stellate ganglion (SGI), which is applied as an alternative to sympathetic blockade. The clinical efficiency of SGI on heart rate variability (HRV) and its association with pain outcome need to be further identified. Objectives. This study is aimed to identify the effects of SGI on pain, HRV indices, quality of life, and function outcomes. Design. A prospective, double blind, randomized designed study Setting. An outpatient pain medicine clinic Subjects and Methods. A total of 44 patients will be enrolled and randomized to their allocations: the experimental group (EG, n=22) and control group (CG, n=22). All patients in EG will receive 12 sessions (twice a week) of standard SGI, while those in CG go through the same protocol except a shame irradiation is applied. Pain, HRV variables, quality of life, and function outcoms are measured before and after SGI in each session. All measures at the first-half and second-half courses are analyzed.