RESEARCH FINDINGS

LIGHT THERAPY OVERVIEW

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Research Articles & Case Studies
The National Institute of Health. Research
Keywords: Photobiomodulation, PBM, LLLT.
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The nuts and bolts of low-level laser (light) therapy

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY

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Reversal of diabetic peripheral neuropathy…

PAIN RELIEF

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Unique Use of Near-Infrared Light Source to Treat Pain

BRAIN HEALTH

Key researchers have demonstrated the effect photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has on the brain.

Dr. Hipskind’s recent research explains how PBMT penetrates the skull to activate innate healing processes that enhance the brain’s neuroplastic self-healing capacity.

DOWNLOAD PUBLISHED CASE SERIES (PDF)

Transcranial LED to Treat Traumatic Brain Injury (Chronic TBI)

Margaret A. Naeser, Ph.D. talks about a new treatment for traumatic brain injury.

Improved Cognitive Function after Transcranial, Light-Emitting Diode Treatments in Chronic, Traumatic Brain Injury: Two Case Reports

Naeser MA, Saltmarche A, Krengel MH, Hamblin MR, Knight JA.

OBJECTIVE: Two chronic, traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases, where cognition improved following treatment with red and near-infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs), applied transcranially to forehead and scalp areas, are presented.

BACKGROUND: Significant benefits have been reported following the application of transcranial, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to humans with acute stroke and mice with acute TBI. These are the first case reports documenting improved cognitive function in chronic, TBI patients treated with transcranial LED…

Photobiomodulation therapy promotes neurogenesis by improving post-stroke local microenvironment and stimulating neuroprogenitor cells.

Yang L, Tucker D, Dong Y, Wu C, Lu Y, Li Y, Zhang J, Liu TC, Zhang Q.

…findings indicated that PBM is capable of promoting neurogenesis after ischemic stroke. The underlying mechanisms may rely on 1) promotion of proliferation and differentiation of internal neuroprogenitor cells in the peri-infarct zone; 2) improvement of the neuronal microenvironment by altering inflammatory status and promoting mitochondrial function. These findings provide strong support for the promising therapeutic effect of PBM on neuronal repair following ischemic stroke.

Photobiomodulation for traumatic brain injury and stroke.

Hamblin MR.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) employs red or near-infrared (NIR) light (600-1100nm) to stimulate healing, protect tissue from dying, increase mitochondrial function, improve blood flow, and tissue oxygenation. PBM can also act to reduce swelling, increase antioxidants, decrease inflammation, protect against apoptosis, and modulate microglial activation state. All these mechanisms of action strongly suggest that PBM delivered to the head should be beneficial in cases of both acute and chronic TBI… 

“There have been reports showing improvement in executive function, working memory, and sleep.”

Shining light on the head: Photobiomodulation for brain disorders.

Hamblin MR.

…The brain suffers from many different disorders that can be classified into three broad groupings: traumatic events (stroke, traumatic brain injury, and global ischemia), degenerative diseases (dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s), and psychiatric disorders (depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder). There is some evidence that all these seemingly diverse conditions can be beneficially affected by applying light to the head. There is even the possibility that PBM could be used for cognitive enhancement in normal healthy people…

Pre-conditioning with Low-Level Laser (Light) Therapy

Turning On Lights to Stop Neurodegeneration: The Potential of Near Infrared Light Therapy in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease.

Johnstone DM, Moro C, Stone J, Benabid AL, Mitrofanis J.

…Red to infrared light therapy (λ = 600-1070 nm), and in particular light in the near-infrared (NIr) range, is emerging as a safe and effective therapy that is capable of arresting neuronal death. Previous studies have used NIr to treat tissue stressed by hypoxia, toxic insult, genetic mutation, and mitochondrial dysfunction with much success. Here we propose NIr therapy as a neuroprotective or disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients.