Improvement in Sleep Symptomatology and Neurocognitive Function Using Photobiomodulation in Post-Concussion Patients

NCT05072743 | Unknown

• 1 other identifier: BFX2
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The emphasis on this study is to review the use of PBMT as a potential treatment modality to improve both sleep symptoms and consequent neuropsychological functions affected by sleep disturbances in a cohort of post-mTBI patients with sleep issues not secondary to sleep apnea.

Conditions

Post-Concussion Syndrome; Sleep Disorder

Keywords

Post-Concussion Syndrome; Photobiomodulation; Sleep Disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (8)

• Statistically significant changes in the Epsworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores from baseline and at 4 weeks

  The ESS is a self-administered questionnaire with 8 questions. Respondents are asked to rate, on a 4-point scale (0-3), their usual chances of dozing off or falling asleep while engaged in eight different activities. Most people engage in those activities at least occasionally, although not necessarily every day. The ESS score (the sum of 8 item scores, 0-3) can range from 0 to 24. The higher the ESS score, the higher that person's average sleep propensity in daily life (ASP), or their 'daytime sleepiness'.

  Baseline, 4 weeks

• Statistically significant changes in the Epsworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores from baseline and at 8 weeks

  The ESS is a self-administered questionnaire with 8 questions. Respondents are asked to rate, on a 4-point scale (0-3), their usual chances of dozing off or falling asleep while engaged in eight different activities. Most people engage in those activities at least occasionally, although not necessarily every day. The ESS score (the sum of 8 item scores, 0-3) can range from 0 to 24. The higher the ESS score, the higher that person's average sleep propensity in daily life (ASP), or their 'daytime sleepiness'.

  Baseline, 8 weeks

• Statistically significant changes in the Epsworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores from baseline and at 12 weeks

  The ESS is a self-administered questionnaire with 8 questions. Respondents are asked to rate, on a 4-point scale (0-3), their usual chances of dozing off or falling asleep while engaged in eight different activities. Most people engage in those activities at least occasionally, although not necessarily every day. The ESS score (the sum of 8 item scores, 0-3) can range from 0 to 24. The higher the ESS score, the higher that person's average sleep propensity in daily life (ASP), or their 'daytime sleepiness'.

  Baseline, 12 weeks

• Statistically significant changes in the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores from baseline and at 4 weeks

  The ISI is a 7-item self-report questionnaire assessing the nature, severity, and impact of insomnia. The dimensions evaluated are: severity of sleep onset, sleep maintenance, and early morning awakening problems, sleep dissatisfaction, interference of sleep difficulties with daytime functioning, noticeability of sleep problems by others, and distress caused by the sleep difficulties. A 5-point Likert scale is used to rate each item (e.g., 0 = no problem; 4 = very severe problem), yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 28. The total score is interpreted as follows: absence of insomnia (0-7); sub-threshold insomnia (8-14); moderate insomnia (15-21); and severe insomnia (22-28).

  Baseline, 4 weeks

• Statistically significant changes in the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores from baseline and at 8 weeks

  The ISI is a 7-item self-report questionnaire assessing the nature, severity, and impact of insomnia. The dimensions evaluated are: severity of sleep onset, sleep maintenance, and early morning awakening problems, sleep dissatisfaction, interference of sleep difficulties with daytime functioning, noticeability of sleep problems by others, and distress caused by the sleep difficulties. A 5-point Likert scale is used to rate each item (e.g., 0 = no problem; 4 = very severe problem), yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 28. The total score is interpreted as follows: absence of insomnia (0-7); sub-threshold insomnia (8-14); moderate insomnia (15-21); and severe insomnia (22-28).

  Baseline, 8 weeks

• Statistically significant changes in the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores from baseline and at 12 weeks

  The ISI is a 7-item self-report questionnaire assessing the nature, severity, and impact of insomnia. The dimensions evaluated are: severity of sleep onset, sleep maintenance, and early morning awakening problems, sleep dissatisfaction, interference of sleep difficulties with daytime functioning, noticeability of sleep problems by others, and distress caused by the sleep difficulties. A 5-point Likert scale is used to rate each item (e.g., 0 = no problem; 4 = very severe problem), yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 28. The total score is interpreted as follows: absence of insomnia (0-7); sub-threshold insomnia (8-14); moderate insomnia (15-21); and severe insomnia (22-28).

  Baseline, 12 weeks

• Statistically significant changes in the total duration (in total minutes) of Stage 3 Non Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) or N3 sleep during Type 1 overnight Polysomnography (OSG) from Baseline and at 8 weeks.

  Overnight measurement of sleep stage duration in minutes utilizing 3 studies: electroencephalography (EEG), electrooculography (EOG), and surface electromyography (EMG). Other parameters that may also be monitored to measure sleep stage duration include the following: Electrocardiography, Pulse oximetry, Respiratory effort (thoracic and abdominal), End tidal or transcutaneous Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Sound recordings to measure snoring, Surface EMG monitoring of limb muscles (to detect limb movements, periodic or other). These studies are consolidated by a sleep physician to determine and identify each sleep stage in minutes. Only data regarding the duration in minutes as identified by the sleep physician will be collected.

  Baseline, 8 weeks

• Statistically significant changes in the total duration (in total minutes) of Stage 4 Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep during Type 1 overnight Polysomnography (OSG) from Baseline and at 8 weeks

  Overnight measurement of sleep stage duration in minutes utilizing 3 studies: electroencephalography (EEG), electrooculography (EOG), and surface electromyography (EMG). Other parameters that may also be monitored to measure sleep stage duration include the following: Electrocardiography, Pulse oximetry, Respiratory effort (thoracic and abdominal), End tidal or transcutaneous Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Sound recordings to measure snoring, Surface EMG monitoring of limb muscles (to detect limb movements, periodic or other). These studies are consolidated by a sleep physician to determine and identify each sleep stage in minutes. Only data regarding the duration in minutes as identified by the sleep physician will be collected.

  Baseline, 8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Statistically significant changes in the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (short version) (FOSQ-10) scores from baseline

  Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks

• Statistically significant changes in the Motivation and Energy Inventory Short Form (MEI-SF) scores from baseline

  Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks

• Statistically significant changes in the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ) scores from baseline

  Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks

Study Arms (1)

Post-Concussion Patients with Non-Apneic Sleep Disorder

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients will be treated with PBMT using the BIOFLEX® DUO+ system that utilizes a Light Emitting Diode (LED) array pad followed by laser probes. Both delivery methods will be applied to the cervical spine and will entail the use of red light at 660 nm wavelength and near-infrared light at 830-840 nm wavelength. Treatment is provided twice per week for 6 weeks for a total of 12 treatments utilizing Health Canada approved device specific protocol guidelines for the treatment of the cervical spine soft tissue injuries.

Device: Photobiomodulation Therapy

Interventions

Photobiomodulation Therapy DEVICE

PBMT will be applied to the cervical spine using the BIOFLEX® DUO+ system that utilizes a Light Emitting Diode (LED) array pad followed by laser probes. Both delivery methods will be applied to the cervical spine and will entail the use of red light at 660 nm wavelength and near-infrared light at 830-840 nm wavelength. Treatment is provided twice per week for 6 weeks for a total of 12 treatments utilizing Health Canada approved device specific protocol guidelines for the treatment of the cervical spine soft tissue injuries.

Also known as: Low Level Laser Therapy

Post-Concussion Patients with Non-Apneic Sleep Disorder

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Patients between the ages of 18-70 years clinically diagnosed with a mTBI diagnosed between 3 to 24 months from presentation complaining of sleep disturbance.
• Underwent an overnight sleep study PSG within the previous year and diagnosed with a primary sleep disorder and in which there has been symptom development suggesting another co-morbid sleep disorder, or an established diagnosis of a sleep disorder other than a sleep related breathing disorder who have significant symptom progression or non-response to therapy.
• Documentation of a history of a qualifying mTBI within 3 to 24 months of traumatic incident and/or diagnosis with persistent symptomatology after 3 months. For reference, International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) clinical criteria for Post Concussive Syndrome (PCS) 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 alcohol4.

You may not qualify if:

• Any positive cranial findings on imaging studies
• A current diagnosis of neuropsychiatric co-morbidity including severe anxiety (or score of ≥15 on the GAD-7), severe depression (or score of ≥20 on the PHQ-9), schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
• A family history of neuropsychiatric conditions
• Any additional diagnoses compounding the diagnosis of a mTBI.
• Currently undergoing CBT.
• Currently taking any medication for the purpose of improving sleep including medical and recreational cannabis, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, antihistamines, melatonin or other natural supplements.
• Currently undergoing any alternative or complementary medical procedure, i.e. acupuncture, hypnosis, homeopathy, etc.
• Pregnancy
• Malignant growth in the neck and cranium
• Taking any photosensitizing medication.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Michael Zitney: lead
• Meditech Rehabilitation Centre: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Meditech Rehabilitation Centre

Toronto, Ontario, M8W 4W3, Canada

RECRUITING

Related Publications (11)

• Tator CH. Concussions and their consequences: current diagnosis, management and prevention. CMAJ. 2013 Aug 6;185(11):975-9. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.120039. Epub 2013 Jul 22. No abstract available.

  PMID: 23877672 BACKGROUND

• Zemek R, Barrowman N, Freedman SB, Gravel J, Gagnon I, McGahern C, Aglipay M, Sangha G, Boutis K, Beer D, Craig W, Burns E, Farion KJ, Mikrogianakis A, Barlow K, Dubrovsky AS, Meeuwisse W, Gioia G, Meehan WP 3rd, Beauchamp MH, Kamil Y, Grool AM, Hoshizaki B, Anderson P, Brooks BL, Yeates KO, Vassilyadi M, Klassen T, Keightley M, Richer L, DeMatteo C, Osmond MH; Pediatric Emergency Research Canada (PERC) Concussion Team. Clinical Risk Score for Persistent Postconcussion Symptoms Among Children With Acute Concussion in the ED. JAMA. 2016 Mar 8;315(10):1014-25. doi: 10.1001/jama.2016.1203.

  PMID: 26954410 BACKGROUND

• Ruff RM. Mild traumatic brain injury and neural recovery: rethinking the debate. NeuroRehabilitation. 2011;28(3):167-80. doi: 10.3233/NRE-2011-0646.

  PMID: 21558623 BACKGROUND

• Mathias JL, Alvaro PK. Prevalence of sleep disturbances, disorders, and problems following traumatic brain injury: a meta-analysis. Sleep Med. 2012 Aug;13(7):898-905. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2012.04.006. Epub 2012 Jun 15.

  PMID: 22705246 BACKGROUND

• Schreiber S, Barkai G, Gur-Hartman T, Peles E, Tov N, Dolberg OT, Pick CG. Long-lasting sleep patterns of adult patients with minor traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and non-mTBI subjects. Sleep Med. 2008 Jul;9(5):481-7. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2007.04.014. Epub 2007 Jul 16.

  PMID: 17638592 BACKGROUND

• Castriotta RJ, Atanasov S, Wilde MC, Masel BE, Lai JM, Kuna ST. Treatment of sleep disorders after traumatic brain injury. J Clin Sleep Med. 2009 Apr 15;5(2):137-44.

  PMID: 19968047 BACKGROUND

• Salehpour F, Mahmoudi J, Kamari F, Sadigh-Eteghad S, Rasta SH, Hamblin MR. Brain Photobiomodulation Therapy: a Narrative Review. Mol Neurobiol. 2018 Aug;55(8):6601-6636. doi: 10.1007/s12035-017-0852-4. Epub 2018 Jan 11.

  PMID: 29327206 BACKGROUND

• Buysse DJ, Reynolds CF 3rd, Monk TH, Berman SR, Kupfer DJ. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: a new instrument for psychiatric practice and research. Psychiatry Res. 1989 May;28(2):193-213. doi: 10.1016/0165-1781(89)90047-4.

  PMID: 2748771 BACKGROUND

• Chasens ER, Ratcliffe SJ, Weaver TE. Development of the FOSQ-10: a short version of the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire. Sleep. 2009 Jul;32(7):915-9. doi: 10.1093/sleep/32.7.915.

  PMID: 19639754 BACKGROUND

• Smets EM, Garssen B, Bonke B, De Haes JC. The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) psychometric qualities of an instrument to assess fatigue. J Psychosom Res. 1995 Apr;39(3):315-25. doi: 10.1016/0022-3999(94)00125-o.

  PMID: 7636775 BACKGROUND

• King NS, Crawford S, Wenden FJ, Moss NE, Wade DT. The Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire: a measure of symptoms commonly experienced after head injury and its reliability. J Neurol. 1995 Sep;242(9):587-92. doi: 10.1007/BF00868811.

  PMID: 8551320 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Post-Concussion Syndrome; Sleep Wake Disorders

Interventions

Low-Level Light Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Concussion; Head Injuries, Closed; Craniocerebral Trauma; Trauma, Nervous System; Nervous System Diseases; Wounds and Injuries; Wounds, Nonpenetrating; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Laser Therapy; Therapeutics; Phototherapy

Study Officials

• Alan Lowe, MD

  Meditech International

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Michael Zitney, MD

  MediTech International Inc.

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Ronaldo Santiago, MD

CONTACT

4162511055; ronaldo@bioflexlaser.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Medical Director

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 17, 2021
• First Posted: October 11, 2021
• Study Start: October 20, 2021
• Primary Completion: September 30, 2024
• Study Completion: December 31, 2024
• Last Updated: August 30, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)