Light Therapy & Brain Injury: Connectivity Boost
- A recent study indicates that low-level light therapy may aid in the healing process for individuals who have experienced meaningful brain injuries.
- The study involved 38 patients who received light therapy within 72 hours of their injury. A helmet emitting near-infrared light was used to deliver the treatment.
- Functional MRI was used to assess the impact of the light therapy by examining resting-state functional connectivity—communication between brain regions when the person isn't focused on a specific...
Low-level light therapy is showing real promise for helping those with traumatic brain injuries. New research from Massachusetts General Hospital reveals that near-infrared light delivered via a helmet can boost brain connectivity. The study, involving 38 patients, indicates potential for improved recovery, with notable changes observed in resting-state connectivity within the first few weeks after injury. While long-term effects are still under examination,this innovative approach offers a non-invasive option for healing. Further studies are needed, but experts are optimistic. Could light therapy become a key secondary_keyword in TBI treatment? News Directory 3 is following the story. What other neurological conditions could benefit from this pioneering research? Discover what’s next for this exciting field.
Light Therapy Shows Promise for Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery
Updated June 13, 2025
A recent study indicates that low-level light therapy may aid in the healing process for individuals who have experienced meaningful brain injuries. The research, conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), explored the effects of this therapy on patients with moderate traumatic brain injury.
The study involved 38 patients who received light therapy within 72 hours of their injury. A helmet emitting near-infrared light was used to deliver the treatment. Rajiv Gupta, M.D., Ph.D.,of MGHS Department of radiology,noted that near-infrared light easily penetrates the skull,allowing the entire brain to be exposed to the therapy.
Functional MRI was used to assess the impact of the light therapy by examining resting-state functional connectivity—communication between brain regions when the person isn’t focused on a specific task. The MRI results were compared across three recovery phases: acute (within one week of injury), subacute (two to three weeks post-injury), and late-subacute (three months post-injury).
A control group of 21 patients did not receive light therapy while wearing the helmet,helping researchers minimize bias and account for potential placebo effects.
The study revealed that patients receiving low-level light therapy exhibited a greater change in resting-state connectivity in seven brain region pairs during the transition from the acute to subacute recovery phase, compared to the control group.
Nathaniel mercaldo, Ph.D., a statistician at MGH, said connectivity increased primarily within the first two weeks of treatment.However, he added that long-term differences in connectivity between the treated and control groups were not detected, meaning the long-term effects of the treatment are still unknown.
The exact way light therapy affects the brain remains under investigation. Gupta said previous research suggests the therapy alters an enzyme in the cell’s mitochondria, boosting production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which provides energy to cells. Light therapy has also been associated with blood vessel dilation and reduced inflammation.
Suk-tak chan, Ph.D., a biomedical engineer at MGH, emphasized the need for further research to fully understand the physiological mechanisms behind these effects.
While the study showed increased connectivity in the light therapy group during the initial recovery phases, there was no significant difference in clinical outcomes between the treated and control participants. Researchers suggest that future studies with larger patient groups and longer-term imaging may help clarify the therapeutic role of light in traumatic brain injury.
What’s next
Researchers anticipate that the role of light therapy will expand as more study results become available. The 810-nanometer-wavelength light used is already considered safe and easy to administer, without requiring surgery or medication. Gupta believes the helmet’s portability coudl make it useful in treating other neurological conditions, such as PTSD, depression, and autism.