# Opioid sparing potential of light-induced analgesia: a pilot trial of a novel, non-pharmacological treatment for pain

> **NIH NIH R03** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $80,500

## Abstract

Exposure to opioid analgesics during medical care is a key driver of the opioid epidemic. Such exposures are
widespread. Reducing clinical opioid exposures is crucial for the prevention of drug abuse. Yet opioids remain
essential first-line agents in treating pain, and it remains vital that pain be appropriately managed. Non-opioid
pain treatments help to resolve the opioid/pain conflict.
This project will examine the opioid-sparing and pain-relieving potential of a novel, non-pharmacological
treatment for pain. Recent pre-clinical work has identified an anti-nociceptive effect of green light. Visually-
mediated cognitive and biological effects of specific color-ranges of light are broadly recognized in areas of
affect and circadian rhythm. Similar effects on pain perception are less understood. We will conduct a pilot trial
of the potential for green-spectrum light exposure as an opioid-sparing analgesic adjunct.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9912143
- **Project number:** 5R03DA046011-02
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Padma Gulur
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $80,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-04-15 → 2021-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9912143

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9912143, Opioid sparing potential of light-induced analgesia: a pilot trial of a novel, non-pharmacological treatment for pain (5R03DA046011-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9912143. Licensed CC0.

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