Far Red Light to Improve Functioning in PAD

The LIGHT PAD Trial is a Phase II multi-centered randomized clinical trial to collect preliminary data to test whether daily far red light treatment of the lower extremities in people with PAD improves six-minute walk distance, lower extremity perfusion, and ischemia-related damage in gastrocnemius muscle at four-month follow-up, compared to a sham control. Participants will complete 10 minutes of twice daily home treatment with either far red light or a sham light for four months.

The LIGHT PAD Trial is a Phase II multi-centered randomized clinical trial to collect preliminary data to test whether daily far red light treatment of the lower extremities in people with PAD improves six-minute walk distance, lower extremity perfusion, and ischemia-related damage in gastrocnemius muscle at four-month follow-up, compared to a sham control. Participants will complete 10 minutes of twice daily home treatment with either far red light or a sham light for four months.

Participants with PAD will be randomized at one of two centers: Northwestern University (PI: MM McDermott, MD) and the University of Alabama (PI: Nicole Lohr MD, PhD) to daily far red light or sham control for four months. The primary outcome, change in six-minute walk, will be measured at four month follow-up, immediately after the final administration of far red light or sham. In secondary and exploratory aims, investigators will distinguish between acute and chronic effects of far red light on six-minute walk, measure the effects of far red light on patient-reported outcomes, and delineate biologic pathways by which far red light improves walking performance in PAD, by measuring change in plasma nitrite and nitrosothiols, gastrocnemius muscle perfusion (MRI arterial spin labeling) and gastrocnemius muscle health and mitochondrial activity. If the proposed hypotheses are supported by this Phase II trial, results will be used to design a definitive randomized trial of far red light for people with PAD.

To achieve the specific aims, investigators will randomize 32 participants age 50 and older with PAD to one of two groups: far red light therapy or sham therapy. Participants will be followed for four months.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria.

First, all participants will be age 50 and older. Second, all participants will have PAD. PAD will be defined as:

1. An ABI \<= 0.90 at baseline.
2. Vascular lab evidence of PAD (such as a toe brachial pressure \< 0.70 or an ankle brachial index less than or equal to 0.90), or angiographic evidence of PAD defined as at least 70% stenosis of an artery supplying the lower extremities.
3. An ABI of \>0.90 and \<= 1.00 who experience a 20% or greater drop in ABI in either leg after the heel-rise test.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Above- or below-knee amputation
2. Critical limb ischemia defined as an ABI \<0.30 or \<0.40 with symptoms of rest pain
3. Wheelchair confinement or requiring a walker to ambulate
4. Walking is limited by a symptom other than PAD
5. Current foot ulcer on bottom of foot
6. Failure to successfully complete the study run-in
7. Planned major surgery, coronary or leg revascularization during the next four months
8. Major surgery, coronary or leg revascularization or major cardiovascular event in the previous three months
9. Major medical illness including lung disease requiring oxygen, Parkinson's disease, a life-threatening illness with life expectancy less than six months, or cancer requiring treatment in the previous two years. \[NOTE: potential participants may still qualify if they have had treatment for an early stage cancer in the past two years and the prognosis is excellent, unless the cancer is located in the lower extremities. Participants who require oxygen only at night may still qualify.\]
10. Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) score \< 23
11. Non-English speaking
12. Participation in or completion of a clinical trial in the previous three months. \[NOTE: after completing a stem cell or gene therapy intervention, participants will become eligible after the final study follow-up visit of the stem cell or gene therapy study so long as at least six months have passed since the final intervention administration. After completing a supplement or drug therapy (other than stem cell or gene therapy), participants will be eligible after the final study follow-up visit as long as at least three months have passed since the final intervention of the trial.\]
13. Visual impairment that limits walking ability.
14. Six-minute walk distance of \<400 feet or \>1700 feet.
15. Participation in a supervised treadmill exercise program or a cardiac rehabilitation program in previous three months or planning to begin a supervised treadmill exercise program or a cardiac rehabilitation program in the next five months.
16. Unwilling to avoid red light therapy outside of study participation.
17. Baseline blood pressure \<100/45.
18. In addition to the above criteria, investigator discretion will be used to determine if the trial is unsafe or not a good fit for the potential participant.