RECRUITING

Photomedicine Project 14: PBMT for Performance Enhancement in SOF

Study Overview

This clinical trial focuses on testing the efficacy of different digital interventions to promote re-engagement in cancer-related long-term follow-up care for adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer.

Description

Special Operations Forces (SOF) train continually to maintain peak performance. Thus, they are nearly always in a state of recovery, and in need of noninvasive therapies to address the taxing workload. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is a noninvasive treatment where a low-level laser is applied to the body to enhance healing, recovery, and performance. Army Tactical Human Optimization Rapid Rehabilitation and Reconditioning (THOR3) provides a consistent avenue for implementation of PBMT as a modality. Studies in athletes have shown performance and recovery benefits with pre-and post-workout focal application of PBMT. While there is less evidence on the potential cognitive/behavioral effects of a systematic application of PBMT, self-reported fatigue has also been found to be significantly lower in groups with focal PBMT application as compared to placebo. Further, PBMT research in healthy military tactical athletes is limited. PBMT may be a promising tool for enhancing physical performance by accelerating musculoskeletal and psychological recovery in the SOF population. The investigators aim to study the physiologic and behavioral effects of PBMT application post-exercise on performance in SOF Operators. The Intent: The investigators propose to conduct a single-blinded randomized-control trial with sham control to investigate the effectiveness of providing PBMT post physical training in a SOF population. The specific aims of this study are to: 1. Analyze and describe the physiologic effects, if any, of PBMT application post-exercise in Special Forces Operators undergoing coach-led training. 2. Analyze and describe the behavioral effects, if any, of PBMT application post-exercise in Special Forces Operators undergoing coach-led training. 3. Evaluate the overall clinical utility of focal PBMT subsequent to physical training in a US Army SOF, tactical athlete population.

Official Title

Assessing the Impact of Post-Exercise Photobiomodulation Application on Performance, Recovery, and Behavioral State in Trained Special Operator Population

Quick Facts

Study Start:2025-01-21
Study Completion:2025-07
Study Type:Not specified
Phase:Not Applicable
Enrollment:Not specified
Status:RECRUITING

Study ID

NCT06380179

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Ages Eligible for Study:18 Years to 45 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study:MALE
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:Yes
Standard Ages:ADULT
Inclusion CriteriaExclusion Criteria
  1. * Active-Duty Special Forces Personnel (18-series)
  2. * Able to read and understand English language for consent purposes
  3. * Able to commit to study intervention and follow-up
  4. * Able to participate in THOR3 coach-lead training, without restriction
  1. * Obese (body fat \> 25%)
  2. * Cardiovascular disease
  3. * Use of select medications (e.g., statins, diuretics, hypertensive agents)
  4. * Female
  5. * Tattoo in treatment area (body region)
  6. * Diagnosis with porphyria (light induced allergy) or photosensitive eczema
  7. * Current use of medications associated with sensitivity to heat or light (e.g., amiodarone, chlorpromazine, doxycycline, hydrochlorothiazide, nalidixic acid, naproxen, piroxicam, tetracycline, thioridazine, voriconazole)
  8. * Use of pacemaker/underlying cardiac disease
  9. * Diagnosed with autoimmune disease(s)
  10. * Albinism
  11. * Peripheral Neuropathy

Contacts and Locations

Study Contact

Bradley H Cornell, DPT
CONTACT
253-477-2130
bradley.h.cornell.mil@army.mil
Nicholas R Hughes, DPT
CONTACT
253-477-2138
nhughes@genevausa.org

Principal Investigator

Bradley H Cornell, DPT
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
1st Special Forces Group Tactical Human Optimization, Rapid Rehabilitation and Reconditioning (THOR3)

Study Locations (Sites)

Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington, 98433
United States

Collaborators and Investigators

Sponsor: Musculoskeletal Injury Rehabilitation Research for Operational Readiness (MIRROR)

  • Bradley H Cornell, DPT, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, 1st Special Forces Group Tactical Human Optimization, Rapid Rehabilitation and Reconditioning (THOR3)

Study Record Dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Registration Dates

Study Start Date2025-01-21
Study Completion Date2025-07

Study Record Updates

Study Start Date2025-01-21
Study Completion Date2025-07

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

  • Photobiomodulation Therapy
  • Photomedicine
  • Low-Level Laser Therapy
  • Performance Enhancement
  • Quadriceps
  • Special Operations Readiness