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InsomniaAcupunctureNCT07190417

Evaluation of Physiological Effects Induced by Low Level Light Irradiation on the Acupoints of the Hand

A study testing LEDs and laser light in people with Insomnia and Anxiety, run by National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University at 1 site in Taiwan.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and LED-based low-level light therapy (LLLT) are effective in inducing relaxation and improving sleep quality and anxiety levels in individuals with insomnia. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 20 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Insomnia, Anxiety, Acupuncture
What is being tested?
LEDs and laser light
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
120 participants
Where
1 siteTaiwan
Study dates
5 Mar 2021to 20 Jun 2025
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 20 to 65 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • No use of sleeping pills within the past 3 months.
  • Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) < 5 points.
  • Body Mass Index (BMI): 18.5 < BMI < 30.
  • Blood pressure: within normal range (<140 mmHg/90 mmHg).
  • Individuals with regular wake-sleep times: bedtime between 22:00 and 02:00.

Who cannot join

  • Individuals with insomnia and other sleep disorders.
  • Exclude those currently taking medications.
  • Individuals with cardiovascular diseases, cancer, psychiatric disorders, kidney diseases, diabetes, chronic illnesses, and physical discomfort.
  • Exclude individuals with addictions to smoking, alcohol, caffeine, and drugs.
  • Individuals with light sensitive skin.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Taiwan1 site
  • Institute of Brain Science

    Taipei, 110

Other trials in Taiwan

About this study

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and LED-based low-level light therapy (LLLT) are effective in inducing relaxation and improving sleep quality and anxiety levels in individuals with insomnia. It aims to evaluate the potential of both light sources to elicit comparable physiological changes in relation to acupoint stimulation.

The main questions this trial aims to answer are:

Read more

Does exposure to low-level laser or LED light therapy on specific acupoints associated with insomnia result in similar changes in heart rate variability and meridian energy? How does skin pigmentation affect the penetration of different wavelength light sources used in LLLT? Primary hypothesis 1: Low-level LED light therapy is comparable to laser therapy in terms of effectiveness.

Primary hypothesis 2: With proper design, both treatments will elicit similar changes in meridian energy and heart rate variability.

Researchers will compare the effects of low-level laser and LED light therapy on 60 participants, divided into two groups: 30 healthy participants receiving either low-level laser/sham laser or low-level LED/sham LED light exposure and 30 participants with brown to black skin tones receiving different LED and laser specifications.

Participants will:

Undergo either low-level laser/sham laser or low-level LED/sham LED light exposure on specific acupoints.

Have their heart rate variability and meridian energy levels measured before and after the intervention.

Have their skin pigmentation measured to assess light penetration with various wavelengths.

This study seeks to establish a stronger link between acupoint stimulation, light therapy, and sleep neuroscience, potentially offering an alternative therapeutic approach for insomnia that complements existing pharmacological interventions.

Read the detailed description

Research Background: In recent years, acupuncture has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for improving sleep quality in menopausal women, particularly in addressing the challenging aspect of deepening sleep. This has led to an increased focus on acupunctural treatments, including acupoint stimulation, as a potential solution for insomnia. However, with increasingly stringent medical regulations, even non-invasive low-level laser therapy, despite its significantly safer profile compared to traditional acupuncture needles, faces substantial regulatory hurdles.

Meanwhile, novel LED technology presents a compelling alternative to lasers. Compared to lasers of equivalent power, LEDs boast lower costs, energy consumption, and operating temperatures without compromising therapeutic efficacy. This makes LED-based low-level light therapy (LLLT) a highly promising approach, especially for applications where diverse medical needs are present, such as in organizations like NASA.

This study is a preliminary investigation into the application of acupoint light therapy within the realm of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for managing insomnia and anxiety. The objective is to evaluate the potential of both low-level laser therapy and low-level LED light therapy, under similar power and wavelength conditions, to induce comparable physiological changes and consequently improve sleep quality and alleviate anxiety.

Specifically, this research will examine whether exposure to either light source results in similar relaxation effects by analyzing relevant physiological indicators like heart rate variability parameters and conductive meridian (Jingluo) parameters - a measure of electrical resistance along meridians. Furthermore, this study will address the understudied influence of skin pigmentation on LLLT by conducting optical experiments to determine the penetration depth of light sources with varying wavelengths through different skin types. This will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the application of LLLT in acupoint stimulation.

Research Objectives:

Investigate the effects of low-level laser and LED light therapy on acupoints associated with insomnia in the hands, using heart rate variability parameters and conductive meridian resistance (Jingluo) measurements as assessment tools.

Clarify the influence of skin pigmentation on the propagation of low-level laser and LED light by using a light power meter to quantify the difference in light transmission through darker and lighter skin types for various wavelengths.

Hypothesis:

Low-level LED light therapy is comparable to laser therapy in terms of its effectiveness. With proper design, both treatments will elicit similar changes in meridian energy and heart rate variability.

Data and Methods:

A total of 90 participants will be recruited for this study, divided into two groups:

Group 1: Consists of 30 healthy participants who will undergo either low-level laser/sham laser or low-level LED/sham LED light exposure. Changes in meridian energy and heart rate variability will be assessed after the intervention. Participants in this group will also be required to undergo pre- and post-light exposure measurements using different LED and laser specifications.

Group 2: Includes 30 participants with skin tones ranging from brown to black, categorized using the Fitzpatrick skin type scale. They will also undergo pre- and post-light exposure measurements using different LED and laser specifications.

Expected Results:

This study anticipates observing changes in meridian resistance and heart rate variability parameters following the application of low-level light stimulation to acupoints. By evaluating the penetration of light sources of various wavelengths through different human tissues, the study aims to establish a stronger link between LLLT and physiological indicators related to relaxation.

Significance:

This research aims to create a stronger connection between the practices of TCM acupoint stimulation, light therapy, and sleep neuroscience. The findings have the potential to provide an alternative therapeutic option for individuals suffering from insomnia, complementing existing pharmacologic interventions.

Being tested
LEDs and laser light
Keywords
Insomnia, Anxiety, Acupuncture, Acupoint Stimulation, Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), Heart Rate Variability (HRV), Meridian Energy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Medical subject headings
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders, Anxiety Disorders

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • LEDs and laser lightOther

    Also called LED, Laser therapy, laser acupuncture

    Experiment 1:Measure the heart rate parameters before, during, and after laser acupuncture or LED light therapy within a 25-minute experimental period, and observe the changes in the subjects' meridian energy before and after the treatment, followed by analysis. Acupoint selections mainly include Daling, Neiguan, and Shenmen.

    Experiment 2:randomly assigns subjects to wear either a low-energy LED device or a sham device. The indicators, duty cycles, and sounds of the low-energy LED device and the sham device are all the same.

    Experiment 3:Place light sources of different wavelengths on the earlobes or auricles of subjects with different skin tones. By observing the changes in light power before and after, the investigators can infer the effects of skin tone on light attenuation and transmission of light sources with different wavelengths.

Study groups in NCT07190417
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Preliminary experiment on low-energy laser acupuncture for insomnia (healthy subjects, single-blind)Sham comparatorObjective: To evaluate the effectiveness of low-energy LED therapy on acupoints in treating insomnia, considering Fitzpatrick skin type variations. Methods: 90 participants (Fitzpatrick types I-VI) from National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University will be recruited. Participants will receive either low-energy LED or sham therapy for 25 minutes, twice, in a controlled environment. Heart rate variability, meridian energy, and light penetration will be measured before, during, and after the intervention. Note: This version removes unnecessary details about the time of day, temperature, and eye safety. It focuses on the core elements of the study: the intervention, the participants, the measurements, and the overall objective.
Receives: Other: LEDs and laser light
Preliminary experiment on the use of low-energy LED for acupuncture for insomnia (Double-blind)Sham comparatorThis experiment is similar to Experiment A, but the sham light intervention will use a sham device. The design will be double-blind. Experiment personnel (B) will randomly assign participants to wear either the low-energy LED device or the sham device. Experiment personnel (A) will assist participants in wearing the devices and measuring signals. Prior to the completion of the experiment, personnel (A) will not be aware of which device (LED or sham) is actually emitting light (the near-infrared light from the LED is difficult to see even with the naked eye after scattering). The low-energy LED device and the sham device will have identical indicator lights, operating cycles, and sound indicators.
Receives: Other: LEDs and laser light
To investigate how light from LEDs and lasers penetrates different skin types.ExperimentalThis study will investigate how light from LEDs and lasers penetrates different skin types. Participants: 90 participants (Fitzpatrick Skin Types I-VI) will be recruited from National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University. 60 participants will be from previous experiments, and 30 from international students. Procedure: Categorize participants into six groups based on Fitzpatrick skin type. Measure initial light power of the LED and laser sources. Mark a target point on the participant's earlobe or ear cartilage. Measure the thickness of the earlobe/cartilage. Measure light power after penetrating through the earlobe/cartilage. Calculate light power reduction (attenuation) for LED and laser interventions. Analyze light transmission percentages across Fitzpatrick skin types to assess LED light penetration suitability. Goal: To determine if light penetration is affected by skin color.
Receives: Other: LEDs and laser light

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Heart rate variability of Healthy Participant during Low-Energy LED Therapy

    Heart rate variability is measured by using Wegene Electrocardiogram Recorder (Medical Device License No. 004896 of the Ministry of Health): Developed by National Yang-Ming University and in cooperation with Wegene Technology, this handheld heart rate measurement system allows users to measure heart rate variability parameters in a relaxed manner and reflect the main parameters on the dashboard in real time. The primary unit of measure for heart rate variability (HRV). HRV reflects the variation in time between consecutive heartbeats(bpm), and this variation is typically very small, measured in milliseconds. HRV parameters includes Total Power, TP [ln(ms²)], Standard deviation of Normal to Normal R Wave, SDNN(ms²), High Frequency, HF [ln(ms²)], Low Frequency, LF [ln(ms²)], Very Low Frequency, VLF [ln(ms²)], percentage of HF(%), percentage of LF(%), LF/HF ratio.

    Measured: Measure three times: before, during, and after, each lasting 5 minutes

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Meridian Energy Measurement of Healthy Participant during Low-Energy LED Therapy.

    A spring-loaded probe, is moistened with 5% saline and, after sterilization, applied sequentially to the 24 Yuan acupoints. After 2-3 seconds of 12 g/cm2 pressure for each point, the device is automatically interrupted, and the average value is recorded on a computerized system. In Meridian Energy Analysis (MEA), the primary unit of measure is electrical conductance, typically expressed in microamperes (μA). This measurement reflects the flow of electrical current through the meridian pathways, which can measure the vital energy (Qi) in traditional Chinese medicine. The MEA device used in the investigation is the Meridian Energy Analysis Device (MEAD). It uses a small electrical current (200 μA) to measure the Qi of the 24 pathways and their associated energy levels.

    Measured: Measure two times: before and after, each lasting for 6 minutes

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted24 Sep 2025
  2. Study start5 Mar 2021
  3. Primary completion4 May 2021
  4. Study completion20 Jun 2025

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator
Enrolment
120 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07190417
Sponsor's protocol ID
YM109166F
Acronym
Acupuncture
Status last verified
May 2024
First submitted
4 Mar 2025
Last updated
24 Sep 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing LEDs and laser light in people with Insomnia and Anxiety, run by National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University at 1 site in Taiwan.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Taiwan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Heart rate variability of Healthy Participant during Low-Energy LED Therapy (time frame: Measure three times: before, during, and after, each lasting 5 minutes). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Sep 2025.

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