Photobiomodulation for Chronic Pain and Fatigue in Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (PBM-SEDh-01)
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- This is an observational study: the protocol does not assign a study treatment.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Hypermobile, Chronic Pain, Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- France
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Official title
Effect of MLS® Class IV Laser Photobiomodulation on Chronic Pain and Fatigue in Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A Prospective Observational Pilot Study in Private Medical Practice
Overview
This study evaluates the effect of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy using a MLS® class IV laser on chronic pain and fatigue in patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). hEDS is a hereditary connective tissue disorder characterized by joint hypermobility, chronic pain, and debilitating fatigue, for which therapeutic options remain limited. Participants will receive 10 PBM sessions over 5 weeks (2 sessions per week), using red and near-infrared light (808 nm continuous + 905 nm pulsed) applied to painful areas identified at baseline. Pain (Visual Analogue Scale), multidimensional fatigue (MFI-20), and quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) will be assessed at baseline (T0), end of treatment (week 5), and follow-up (week 10). This is a pilot observational study - the first to document the effect of MLS® laser PBM in hEDS. No additional procedures beyond routine care are required.
Detailed description
Background: Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) is the most common form of EDS (80-90% of cases), diagnosed according to the 2017 International Consortium criteria. Chronic pain and fatigue are the two most disabling symptoms. No randomized controlled trial has evaluated the effect of MLS® class IV laser photobiomodulation in hEDS to date.
Intervention: Photobiomodulation using ASAlaser M-Hi device (MLS® technology: synchronized 808nm continuous + 905nm pulsed emissions, CE MDR class IV). Progressive fluence: 4 J/cm² (sessions 1-2), 6 J/cm² (sessions 3-6), 8 J/cm² (sessions 7-10). Maximum 3-4 zones per session. Treatment areas individualized based on pain mapping at baseline.
Design: Single-center prospective observational pilot study in private practice. No randomization, no control group, no modification of ongoing treatment.
Statistical analysis: Wilcoxon signed-rank tests (paired, non-parametric), descriptive statistics. Exploratory pilot - no formal power calculation. Target sample size: 20-25 patients.
Primary outcome measures
- Change in chronic pain intensity [Time frame: Baseline (T0) to Week 5 (end of PBM treatment cycle)]
Secondary outcome measures (3)
- Durability of pain relief [Time frame: Week 5 to Week 10 (5 weeks post-treatment follow-up)]
- Change in multidimensional fatigue [Time frame: Baseline (T0), Week 5 (T5), and Week 10 (T10)]
- Change in health-related quality of life [Time frame: Baseline (T0), Week 5 (T5), and Week 10 (T10)]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Age ≥ 18 years
- Confirmed diagnosis of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) according to 2017 International Consortium criteria
- Chronic pain ≥ 3 months, average VAS score ≥ 4/10 over the preceding week
- Stable analgesic treatment for ≥ 4 weeks (if any)
- Follow-up at Centre Médical ISM, Boulogne-Billancourt
- Informed and non-opposition signed
Exclusion criteria
- Suspicious or malignant skin lesion on areas to be treated
- Non-modifiable photosensitizing treatment
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Photosensitive epilepsy
- Acute articular inflammatory flare at inclusion date
- Analgesic treatment modification within 4 weeks prior to inclusion
- Simultaneous participation in another research protocol
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
Study locations
France · 1 center
- Centre Médical ISM — Boulogne-Billancourt
Publications
- Castori M, Camerota F, Celletti C, Danese C, Santilli V, Saraceni VM, Grammatico P. Natural history and manifestations of the hypermobility type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: a pilot study on 21 patients. Am J Med Genet A. 2010 Mar;152A(3):556-64. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.33231. PMID 20140961
- Malfait F, Francomano C, Byers P, Belmont J, Berglund B, Black J, Bloom L, Bowen JM, Brady AF, Burrows NP, Castori M, Cohen H, Colombi M, Demirdas S, De Backer J, De Paepe A, Fournel-Gigleux S, Frank M, Ghali N, Giunta C, Grahame R, Hakim A, Jeunemaitre X, Johnson D, Juul-Kristensen B, Kapferer-Seebacher I, Kazkaz H, Kosho T, Lavallee ME, Levy H, Mendoza-Londono R, Pepin M, Pope FM, Reinstein E, R PMID 28306229
- Robijns J, Nair RG, Lodewijckx J, Arany P, Barasch A, Bjordal JM, Bossi P, Chilles A, Corby PM, Epstein JB, Elad S, Fekrazad R, Fregnani ER, Genot MT, Ibarra AMC, Hamblin MR, Heiskanen V, Hu K, Klastersky J, Lalla R, Latifian S, Maiya A, Mebis J, Migliorati CA, Milstein DMJ, Murphy B, Raber-Durlacher JE, Roseboom HJ, Sonis S, Treister N, Zadik Y, Bensadoun RJ. Photobiomodulation therapy in managem PMID 36110957
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07637084 · PBM-SEDh-01