Light therapy and brain health

Recent studies suggest that in some cases light therapy may help improve mental functions sleep quality and even behavior.

Below is a summary of different research findings.

•Near-Infrared Photo bio-modulation (NIR)

In a small clinical trial NIR light was tested over 12 weeks.

The group receiving treatment showed clear improvement in mental performance.

While the comparison group showed only a minor increase of about one point.

•Phototherapy (Systematic Review)

A review of 13 studies involving 608 patients found that light therapy led to noticeable improvements in decision making attention and memory.

Short-term benefits were strong.

Long term effects were less consistent and need more evidence.

•Bright light therapy

This type of therapy helped reduce sleep problems and reset the body’s natural clock.

Patients experienced

•More stable nighttime sleep.

•Fewer disruptive daytime behaviors

•Another study also reported reduced depression levels and changes in brain activity (EEG).

•Case reports (Visual Observation)

In one report with five patients transcranial + intranasal PBM light therapy was used for 12 weeks.

Results showed

•Clear memory improvement in Alzheimer’s patients

•Better sleep and less anxiety

•Fewer attention problems

However once treatment stopped symptoms returned quickly suggesting that continuous therapy may be more beneficial.

•Sleep and behavioral improvements

An analysis published in PLOS ONE (based on data from 598 patients) confirmed that light therapy helped with both sleep and behavior.

Patients reported reduced anxiety frustration and mental stress.

Research indicates that different forms of light therapy may offer short term improvements in cognition mood and sleep.

Especially for patients with conditions like Alzheimer’s or depression. However experts highlight the need for more studies to confirm its long term effectiveness.