The potential of red light therapy to safeguard athletes' brains from repetitive impacts is a groundbreaking development in sports medicine. This unconventional treatment, which involves exposing the brain to powerful near-infrared light through the skull, could be a game-changer for athletes facing the long-term risks associated with repeated head impacts.
The names for this condition have evolved, from punch-drunk syndrome to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), but the impact on brain health is clear. More than 100 former NFL players have been diagnosed with CTE posthumously, highlighting the urgent need for preventative measures.
Current therapies often focus on managing symptoms like headaches and balance issues, which can arise long after the initial injury. However, red light therapy aims to address the root cause by reducing brain inflammation caused by repetitive impacts. A recent study with collegiate football players suggests this therapy may significantly reduce brain inflammation over the course of a season.
The study, published in the Journal of Neurotrauma, compared two groups of players. One group received red light therapy through a light-emitting headset and nasal device, while the other received a placebo treatment with an identical device that emitted no light. The therapy was administered three times a week for 20 minutes per session over a 16-week season.
The results were striking. Players in the placebo group showed increased brain inflammation at the end of the season, as evidenced by MRI scans. In contrast, those who received red light therapy experienced no increase in brain inflammation.
"It was incredibly surprising," said Hannah Lindsey, PhD, a research associate in neurology at University of Utah Health and the study's first author. "The group receiving red light therapy appeared to be protected from inflammation throughout almost all regions of the brain."
While red light therapy for brain health is still in its early stages, the potential mechanism of action is promising. Sufficiently powerful red light can penetrate the skull and reach the outer surface of the brain, and previous studies have shown that specific wavelengths of light can reduce inflammation-driving molecules.
Elisabeth Wilde, PhD, professor of neurology at U of U Health and the study's senior author, initially had her doubts. "When we first started this project, I was extremely skeptical," she said. "But the consistent results across multiple studies are compelling."
The researchers emphasize that more data is needed, and they are currently conducting a larger randomized controlled trial funded by the Department of Defense. This trial will involve 300 people with persistent symptoms from TBI or concussion, including first responders, veterans, and active-duty service members.
Carrie Esopenko, PhD, associate professor of neurology at U of U Health and second author on the study, hopes these findings will contribute to safer sports participation for athletes of all ages. "This feels like a real step towards protecting the brain, which is crucial for the long-term health and happiness of athletes," she said.
The study's results were published in the Journal of Neurotrauma under the title "Transcranial Photobiomodulation Promotes Neurological Resilience in Current Collegiate American Football Players Exposed to Repetitive Head Acceleration Events."
The research was supported by grants from Brigham Young University (BYU), the BYU Athletics Department, and the BYU College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences. Lawrence Carr, PhD, a consultant for Vielight, Inc., which manufactures the light-emitting devices used in the study, also contributed to the research.
