LED Light Protocol Proven Beneficial For A Variety Of Cognitive Issues (PTSD, Concussions Etc.)

Philomath

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This pilot, open-protocol study examined whether scalp application of red and near-infrared (NIR) light-emitting diodes (LED) could improve cognition in patients with chronic, mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

Eleven chronic, mTBI participants (26–62 years of age, 6 males) with nonpenetrating brain injury and persistent cognitive dysfunction were treated for 18 outpatient sessions (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, for 6 weeks), starting at 10 months to 8 years post- mTBI (motor vehicle accident [MVA] or sports-related; and one participant, improvised explosive device [IED] blast injury). Four had a history of multiple concussions. Each LED cluster head (5.35 cm diameter, 500 mW, 22.2 mW/cm2) was applied for 10 min to each of 11 scalp placements (13 J/cm2). LEDs were placed on the midline from front-to-back hairline; and bilaterally on frontal, parietal, and temporal areas. Neuropsychological testing was performed pre-LED, and at 1 week, and 1 and 2 months after the 18th treatment. A significant linear trend was observed for the effect of LED treatment over time for the Stroop test for Executive Function, Trial 3 inhibition (p=0.004); Stroop, Trial 4 inhibition switching (p=0.003); California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT)-II, Total Trials 1–5 (p=0.003); and CVLT-II, Long Delay Free Recall (p=0.006). Participants reported improved sleep, and fewer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, if present. Participants and family reported better ability to perform social, interpersonal, and occupational functions.

Two identical, LED Console Units were used (MedX Health, Model 1100, Toronto). Each Console Unit had three LED cluster heads. This device was cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2003 as posing an insignificant risk (FDA-cleared for home treatment, 2005). A sample LED cluster head is shown in Figure 1. Each LED cluster head had a 5.35 cm diameter (9 red diodes, 633 nm, and 52 NIR diodes, 870 nm were embedded into each LED cluster head); 22.48 cm2 in size; 500 mW total power; 22.2 mW/cm2 power density; continuous wave. The power output (500 mW) for each LED cluster head was verified before and after the LED treatments using the MedX MEDRAD200X Radiometer System.

At each visit, six, 5.35 cm diameter LED cluster heads were applied simultaneously for 10 min during Set A, and then immediately after Set A, the LED placement loci were changed, and Set B was treated for 10 min (energy density, 13 Joules/cm2 [J/cm2] per each LED cluster head placement). It was estimated that up to 3% (0.4 J/cm2) could reach the surface brain cortex, although this is unknown in humans (M. Hamblin, personal observation).

A small number of chronic mTBI cases (n=11), with nonpenetrating brain injury from diverse etiologies (motor vehicle accident [MVA], sports-related accident, work or home accident, and blast TBI) all improved by at least+1 SD on the Stroop test for executive function, and/or verbal learning and memory on the CVLT, post-LED therapy. Group statistical analyses with linear trend analysis showed significant improvements over time (out to 2 months post-LED) on the Stroop test for executive function – inhibition (p<0.004); inhibition switching (p<0.003); and verbal learning and memory – CVLT-II, Total Trials 1–5 (p<0.003) and Long Delay Free Recall (p<0.006). In addition, patients who had symptoms compatible with PTSD at entry into the study reported either a clinically meaningful decrease, or a reliable decrease in symptoms post-LED therapy.

Significant Improvements in Cognitive Performance Post-Transcranial, Red/Near-Infrared Light-Emitting Diode Treatments in Chronic, Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Open-Protocol Study
 
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