INTRODUCTION TO LIGHT THERAPY

Light therapy continues to gain momentum as a treatment modality in various fields within the medical community. The function of light therapy is to stimulate, regenerate, and protect brain tissue that has been injured or is degenerating. There are a growing number of scientific studies yielding favorable outcomes for cognitive function, which is why this topic might be of interest to our readers. The topic gained wide-spread attention in the neuro world with the work of Dr. Margaret Naeser at the Boston VA Medical Center. Her research associated positive outcomes after using light therapy for patients with traumatic brain injuries.

Dr. Margaret Naeser’s first study was in 2002, and Harvard Medical School did another study in 2014. You can learn more about Dr. Naeser’s background here: Profiles.bu.edu/Margaret.Naeser. 

As a Brain Heath Gerontologist and Parkinson’s Disease (PD) specialist, it has been my personal mission to educate, advocate, and bridge access to drug-free interventions for neurological disorders. This is precisely why I have owned and experimented with four types of light therapy devices over the last six years. They are non-invasive and utilize low powered light delivered at low powered density. This makes it a safe method that does not heat up or burn the skin or hair.

I would like to share a brief look at each device. These devices are not covered by insurance/Medicare, and they are not what I consider to be inexpensive. 

1)Vielight Photobiomodulation: A transcranial headset with electrodes signaling with red to near infrared lights. This is an electromagnetic radiation that is mainly invisible to the naked eye. This light CAN cross the blood brain barrier. It reportedly reduces inflammation and promotes both tissue regeneration and cellular energy, as well as improves mitochondrial respiration, cerebral circulation, and cellular integrity. Improved synaptic connections and neurogenesis (birth of brain cells) has been associated with the treatment. This is simply a long-winded way of saying it can accelerate healing and improve circulation and potentially mood and/or sleep, according to their claims. Using this type of therapy is far from new, but applications in neurology are still emerging, which means the delivery gets better as developments evolve. It is suggested that it be used for 20 minute sessions six days per week. 

I chose to pilot test this with three clients; the reason was due to claims about improved movement and cognition, reduced tremors, and fewer freezing episodes. No side effects were noted during the test.

Downsides: It is a headset with nearly a dozen diodes that need to be placed with precision. The upgraded headset has a nasal light, since this is the fastest way to the brain. But getting the nose piece and headset diodes in place while laying still was cumbersome. People didn’t stick with it. 

One other similar device includes a helmet where the suggested frequency is six minutes, twice daily for eight weeks. Improvements were reported in cognitive scores, mood, sleep and energy, which is promising. Here is a link to one study: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8219492/.

2) Avante Laser Light: This produces a coherent light with better penetration, helping sync the waves, since it can penetrate the tissue better than with say, LED. This allows for target treatment to troublesome areas.

Downsides: It is handheld and needs a well-trained practitioner/technician to place the wand and keep it in place for three minutes, move and keep it in place for another three minutes, etc. Other similar devices suggested a frequency of six minutes, twice daily for eight weeks. Improvement in cognitive scores, mood, sleep and energy were all reported (here is a link to one study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8219492/).

3) Evy Light: An oscillating gamma light emitted through a visual field at 40 hertz (hz). If you are curious why this frequency is effective, it mimics that of the hippocampus (short-term memory), which is steadily producing oscillations at 40 hz. A gamma wave at this rate is associated with memory consolidation and encoding. It is a light that sits in front of you so you may watch TV or videos on your tablet, or maybe read or listen to a friend’s chat. In other words, you can be productive while the 40 hz gamma light is on.

Downside: To be determined, as this experiment is on day 10. If you are familiar with Cognito Therapeutics, this is very close to the same thing, but they are navigating through the FDA approval process, which can take five to seven years. I want to find its value and get it to those suffering sooner.

4) BONUS mention: PD Care – This light is held on the stomach area. After working in a brain center, I can see why targeting eyes, nose, or brain would be “head and shoulders” above a light that is pointed at the gut. Don’t get me wrong though, there is something to this, as hundreds of neurochemicals are reproduced in the gut. And as a related reminder, being smart about our diet is also undeniably wise. 

I gifted several of these devices to those with PD. Our team felt that this device’s company was singling out Parkinson’s for marketing and spinning evidence to gain exposure, but that is only an opinion. Perhaps noteworthy is that the scientist I questioned from Denmark recently reminded me that marketing campaigns can prey on diseases like PD, so it is incumbent on us to each do our due diligence when considering products like these.  

These are a few of the light therapy options available to PD patients. As always, check with your doctor before starting a new treatment.