NCT07218289

Green Light for Post-Operative Wellness

Green Light Therapy to Reduce Pain and Promote Wellness After Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Adult Post-Operative Patients

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Rebecca E Kotcher, MD · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This is an unblinded, parallel group randomized controlled trial to evaluate bright green light as an adjunct therapy after surgery at UPMC Shadyside. The primary outcome measure will be pain intensity with secondary outcome measures including opioid requirements, sleep quality, mood, and overall post-operative recovery. Specific aims/hypotheses for this study are as follows: Aim 1: To assess bright green light therapy's potential as a complementary post-operative analgesic strategy in patients recovering from surgery Hypothesis 1: Participants exposed to bright green light, in comparison to dim white (ambient) light, will have improved postoperative pain scores and lower opioid use. Aim 2: To examine the impact of bright green light therapy on patient-centered measures of post-operative recovery that may be related to improved circadian function. Hypothesis 2: Participants exposed to bright green light, in comparison to dim white (ambient) light, will have improved quality of post-operative recovery, enhanced sleep, and reduced anxiety and depression.

Detailed description

This research study is being done to evaluate the use of light therapy following surgery at UPMC Shadyside Hospital (Pittsburgh, PA). Light therapy after surgery may reduce pain and pain medication requirements, and it may improve sleep, mood, and overall post-surgery recovery. The proposed study design of a randomized controlled trial investigates the use of bright green light therapy for post-operative pain management and wellness.

Conditions

• Surgery

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Bright Green Light Therapy	Day Light Classic Plus light therapy lamp with filter to yield bright green light.
DEVICE	Dim White Light Therapy	Day Light Classic Plus light therapy lamp with filter to yield dim white light.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-01-14
• Primary completion: 2026-12-01
• Completion: 2026-12-01
• First posted: 2025-10-20
• Last updated: 2026-02-12

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States

Regulatory

• FDA-regulated device study