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Home-Based Photobiomodulation Effects in the Postoperative Period of Distal Radius Fractures

Sponsor: University of Nove de Julho • ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07426926

Registry updated: 2026-09-29

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Description

This double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the adjuvant effect of home-based photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy on the rehabilitation of surgically treated DRFs combined with an unsupervised home exercise program. A total of 42 participants will be randomly allocated into two groups. The Control Group will undergo the standard surgical procedure, perform the prescribed home exercises recommended by the hospital service, and use an inactive LED plate (photobiomodulation device). The PBM Group will follow the same surgical and exercise protocols but will use an active PBM device. Home exercises will begin 24 hours after surgery and should be performed twice daily for a total of 12 weeks. The device will be applied once daily to the wrist for 12 minutes (6 minutes on the dorsal side and 6 minutes on the palmar side). The primary outcome will be functional wrist assessment using the QuickDASH (Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) questionnaire at 2 weeks. Secondary outcomes will include wrist range of motion, grip strength, wrist function, and pain (assessed using the PRWE-BR instrument), as well as fracture healing. Assessments will be performed at 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks post-surgery, except for bone consolidation (assessed starting at week 4) and for pain and range of motion, which will also be evaluated at 24 hours.

Interventions

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with locked volar plate (Procedure)
All participants will undergo open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with a locked volar plate, without postoperative immobilization.
Home exercises (Procedure)
Unsupervised protocol twice daily for 12 weeks, starting 24 hours post-surgery
Active photobiomodulation (Device)
The intervention consists of an active photobiomodulation wrist brace equipped with 100 light-emitting diodes (LEDs), including 18 LEDs at 630 nm delivering 23 mW of power, 117 J/cm², and 8 J per LED; 18 LEDs at 680 nm delivering 20 mW of power, 102 J/cm², and 7 J per LED; 32 LEDs at 760 nm delivering 24 mW of power, 122 J/cm², and 9 J per LED; and 32 LEDs at 830 nm delivering 28 mW of power, 143 J/cm², and 10 J per LED. The device will be applied once daily for a total of 12 minutes, with six minutes directed to the dorsal aspect of the wrist and six minutes to the volar aspect, over a 12-week period.
Inactive photobiomodulation (Device)
The intervention consists of an inactive LED wrist plate that is identical in appearance and sound to the active device but contains no active LEDs. It will be applied once daily for 12 minutes, during which the device will emit only activation light and sound, without delivering therapeutic irradiation.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria: * Adults aged 18 to 65 years, * Both sexes, * Patients with isolated, closed distal radius fractures with displacement and surgical indication, * Surgical indication defined by instability criteria: * Dorsal tilt of the distal fragment \>20°, * Radial shortening ≥10 mm, * Articular incongruity, * Dorsal comminution, * Fractures classified as Fernandez types I, II, or III, * Fractures classified as AO/OTA types 2R3A2, 2R3A3, 2R3B, or 2R3C (except 2R3C3). Exclusion criteria: * Previous wrist injuries, sequelae, or motor deficits due to neurological lesions, * Pathological fractures, * Ipsilateral fractures in other regions of the limb, * Neurovascular injury with sensory deficit at the fracture site, * Local or systemic contraindications to surgery or postoperative recovery, * History of photosensitivity, * Neurological and/or psychiatric disorders, * Proliferative or infectious skin lesions at the wrist region, * Pregnancy, * Surgical complications (neurological or vascular injuries, or fracture line extension) - excluded from analysis but reported.

Conditions

Distal Radius Fracture

Locations

ACN Municipal Hospital — São Paulo, Brazil

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Official Source

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

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