Blue Light as an Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Strategy in Thoracic Trauma (BLAASTT): protocol for a randomised controlled trial in adult trauma inpatients with painful rib fractures

Abstract

Introduction: Blue light (peak wavelength 442 nm) has been shown to modulate the immune response in preclinical models of intra-abdominal sepsis and pneumonia. In vivo pathways involve optic nerve stimulation with transmission to the central nervous system, activation of parasympathetic pathways terminating at the spleen, and downstream immune effects including decreased inflammatory tissue damage and improved pathogen clearance. Related effects on pain mediators including proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin 6, TNF- α) and autonomic tone (increased parasympathetic outflow) suggest possible analgesic properties that would be highly relevant to a trauma population.

Methods and analysis: This is a randomised controlled trial in which adult trauma inpatients (≥18 years) with painful rib fractures will be allocated 1:1:1 to three arms: bright blue light intervention (peak 442 nm, ~1400 lux), bright full-spectrum light comparison (~1400 lux) and usual ambient light control. Bright light exposures will be administered for 4 consecutive hours daily for up to 3 days. The primary outcome will be any measurable changes in chest wall pain intensity during deep breathing, quantified using an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale. Secondary outcomes will assess chest wall pain intensity at rest, opioid requirements, delirium incidence, pulmonary complication incidence, hospital-free and intensive care unit-free days, and physiological markers of autonomic nervous system, circadian, and immune activation. Sample size analysis yields a total of 75 participants needed to detect a 2-point difference in pain scores with >80% power and assuming a 20% non-completion rate.

Ethics and dissemination: Full ethical approval for this trial has been granted by the University of Pittsburgh Institutional Review Board. On study completion, results will be published in the peer-reviewed literature and at ClinicalTrials.gov.

Trial registration number: NCT06626334.

Keywords: Delirium; Inflammation; Pain management; Pulmonary Disease; Trauma.

Figure 1. Schematic of enrolment and study participation.

Figure 2. Day-Light Classic Plus light therapy lamp mounted on a rolling stand with an articulating arm (left to right: bright blue light, bright full-spectrum light, usual ambient light).