Elucidating the Central Mechanisms of Action for Green Light Therapy in Managing Chronic Pain

Brief Summary

Investigators have previously shown that specific colors of light can alter nociception. Green light emitting diode exposure (GLED) provides long-lasting antinociception in rodents, through the visual system. No adverse effects were noted, and motor performance was not impaired. Investigator clinical trials have shown GLED is also effective in decreasing pain intensity of fibromyalgia patients and decreasing the number of headache-days per month in migraine patients. However, investigators do not yet understand the mechanisms by which GLED reduces pain. Understanding the mechanisms of action of GLED will provide additional support for using light therapy as both a treatment and as a possible diagnostic tool. While investigators do not fully understand the mechanisms of action of GLED, investigators do know that it is centrally mediated. To better elucidate the mechanism of action for GLED, investigators propose a single-blinded randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial to elucidate the central mechanism(s) of action that GLED therapy has in improving fibromyalgia pain, conducted by a team with a successful record of collaboration. Investigator's hypothesis is that GLED decreases neuroinflammation leading to modulation of the signaling in the ascending and descending pain pathways.