Abstract
BackgroundIncreasing experimental and clinical evidence suggests that illumination of the skin with relatively low intensity light may lead to therapeutic results such as reduced pain or improved wound healing. The goal of this study was to evaluate prospectively whether socks made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) incorporating optically active particles (Celliant™) ameliorates chronic foot pain resulting from diabetic neuropathy or other disorders. Such optically modified fiber is thought to modify the illumination of the skin in the visible and infrared portions of the spectrum, and consequently reduce pain.MethodsA double-blind, randomized trial with 55 subjects (38 men, 17 women) enrolled (average age 59.7 ± 11.9 years), 26 with diabetic neuropathy and 29 with other pain etiologies. Subjects twice completed the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), and SF-36 a week apart (W1+2) before receiving either control or Celliant™ socks. The same questionnaires were answered again one and two weeks (W3+4) later. The questionnaires provided nine scores for analyzing pain reduction: one VAS score, two BPI scores, five MPQ scores, and the bodily pain score on the SF-36. Mean W1+2 and W3+4 scores were compared to measure pain reduction.ResultsMore pain reduction was reported by Celliant™ subjects for 8 of the 9 pain questions employed, with a significant (p = 0.043) difference between controls and Celliant™ for McGill question III. In neuropathic subjects, Celliant™ caused more pain reduction in 6 of the 9 questions, but not significantly. In non-neuropathic subjects 8 of 9 questions showed more pain reduction with the Celliant™ socks.ConclusionSocks with optically modified PET (Celliant™) appear to have a beneficial impact on chronic foot pain. The mechanism could be related to the effects seen with illumination of tissues with visible and infrared light.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT00458497
Highlights
Increasing experimental and clinical evidence suggests that illumination of the skin with relatively low intensity light may lead to therapeutic results such as reduced pain or improved wound healing
CelliantTM is a polymer fabric constructed from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) yarn containing optically active particles – a proprietary mixture of natural and inorganic materials – which scatter and reflect visible and near infrared light
We report here the results of a prospective, blinded study designed to substantiate the ability of CelliantTM socks to ameliorate chronic pain resulting from diabetic neuropathy and other disorders of the foot
Summary
Increasing experimental and clinical evidence suggests that illumination of the skin with relatively low intensity light may lead to therapeutic results such as reduced pain or improved wound healing. The goal of this study was to evaluate prospectively whether socks made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) incorporating optically active particles (CelliantTM) ameliorates chronic foot pain resulting from diabetic neuropathy or other disorders. Such optically modified fiber is thought to modify the illumination of the skin in the visible and infrared portions of the spectrum, and reduce pain. CelliantTM is a polymer fabric constructed from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) yarn containing optically active particles – a proprietary mixture of natural and inorganic materials – which scatter and reflect visible and near infrared light We report here the results of a prospective, blinded study designed to substantiate the ability of CelliantTM socks to ameliorate chronic pain resulting from diabetic neuropathy and other disorders of the foot
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