Photobiomodulation Therapy for the Treatment of Lower Extremity Stress Fractures in a Military Training Setting
PM12
Utilizing Photobiomodulation Therapy for the Treatment of Lower Extremity Stress Fractures in a Military Training Setting
Sponsor study identifier
interventional
103
1 country
1
Study Start
June 7, 2023
Actual (reported)Primary Completion
March 25, 2025
Actual (reported)Study Completion
August 14, 2025
Actual (reported)The goal of this clinical trial is to compare photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in addition to standard of care in the treatment of tibial and metatarsal bone stress injuries in a military training setting. Participants will all receive usual care and also be randomized to either active or sham photobiomodulation therapy. Effectiveness will be assessed based on time to return to duty and measures of pain and function.
Registry-reported information. Elapsed time and enrollment totals alone do not measure study progress or recruitment pace.
August 14, 2025
Actual (reported)Click on a node to explore related trials.
Some registry-reported names shown below are not yet linked in this graph.
Dates and qualifiers reported by the registry. Estimated dates do not confirm that a milestone has occurred.
April 18, 2023
Actual (reported)May 6, 2023
Actual (reported)June 7, 2023
Actual (reported)March 25, 2025
Actual (reported)August 14, 2025
Actual (reported)July 15, 2026
Actual (reported)Graduated on Time
Graduation on time is a measure of successful return to duty
4 months
Defense and Veteran's Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS)
4 months
Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS)
4 Months
Evidence of Healing on MRI
4 months
61 Participants will be randomized to this group and will receive Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) in addition to standard physical therapy.
61 Participants will be randomized to this group and will receive sham Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) in addition to standard physical therapy.
Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) will be provided by a trained individual in addition to standard physical therapy. Treatment will be delivered for approximately 10-16 minutes. Participants will then be instructed to rest for 5 minutes after the treatment.
Brooke Army Medical Center
San Antonio, Texas, 78219, United States
Wood AM, Hales R, Keenan A, Moss A, Chapman M, Davey T, Nelstrop A. Incidence and Time to Return to Training for Stress Fractures during Military Basic Training. J Sports Med (Hindawi Publ Corp). 2014;2014:282980. doi: 10.1155/2014/282980. Epub 2014 Jan 21.
Waterman BR, Gun B, Bader JO, Orr JD, Belmont PJ Jr. Epidemiology of Lower Extremity Stress Fractures in the United States Military. Mil Med. 2016 Oct;181(10):1308-1313. doi: 10.7205/MILMED-D-15-00571.
Daniel Rhon, DSc, PhD
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
103 participants (actual enrollment reported by the registry).
First Submitted
April 18, 2023
First Posted
May 6, 2023
Study Start
June 7, 2023
Actual (reported)Sham Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) will be provided by a trained to the some location and with the same contact time and frequency as the active intervention (PBMT) in addition to standard physical therapy. Participants will then be instructed to rest for 5 minutes after the treatment.
Registry-reported names are shown in full. Names without a link have not yet been matched to a Syfrah profile.
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Reis JP, Trone DW, Macera CA, Rauh MJ. Factors associated with discharge during marine corps basic training. Mil Med. 2007 Sep;172(9):936-41. doi: 10.7205/milmed.172.9.936.
Molloy JM, Pendergrass TL, Lee IE, Chervak MC, Hauret KG, Rhon DI. Musculoskeletal Injuries and United States Army Readiness Part I: Overview of Injuries and their Strategic Impact. Mil Med. 2020 Sep 18;185(9-10):e1461-e1471. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usaa027.
Kardouni JR, McKinnon CJ, Taylor KM, Hughes JM. Timing of Stress Fractures in Soldiers During the First 6 Career Months: A Retrospective Cohort Study. J Athl Train. 2021 Dec;56(12):1278-1284. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-0380.19. Epub 2021 May 11.
Wentz L, Liu PY, Haymes E, Ilich JZ. Females have a greater incidence of stress fractures than males in both military and athletic populations: a systemic review. Mil Med. 2011 Apr;176(4):420-30. doi: 10.7205/milmed-d-10-00322.
Lee D; Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center (AFHSC). Stress fractures, active component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2004-2010. MSMR. 2011 May;18(5):8-11. No abstract available.
Rhon DI, Parsons NA, Greenlee TA, Metzger E, Hole SR, Hager N. Photobiomodulation therapy versus sham for tibial and metatarsal bone stress injuries in military trainees: A randomized controlled trial. Bone. 2026 Oct 15:118135. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2026.118135. Online ahead of print.
Primary Completion
March 25, 2025
Actual (reported)Study Completion
August 14, 2025
Actual (reported)Last Updated
July 15, 2026
Results First Posted
July 15, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-07
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Source: ClinicalTrials.gov.
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