Improvements in clinical signs of Parkinson's disease using photobiomodulation: a prospective proof-of-concept study
Liebert A, Bicknell B, Laakso EL, Heller G, Jalilitabaei P, Tilley S, Mitrofanis J, Kiat H
BMC neurology · 80 citations
Review labels
Neutral facts our review recorded about how this study was done. They describe method, never whether we like the result.
How it was studied
- Design
- Randomized controlled trial (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
- Authors
- At least one author declares a financial tie to industry
Based on full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2021-07-02 · BMC Neurol · vol. 21 · issue 1 · p. 256
- Publisher
- BioMed Central
- Cited
- 112 citations · more than 99% of similar papers · 9.1× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 93 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Laser Applications in Dentistry and Medicine · Dermatologic Treatments and Research · Oral health in cancer treatment
- Keywords
- Medicine, Neurology, Randomized controlled trial, Neurosurgery, Placebo, Disease, Physical therapy, Clinical trial, Sequela, Neurochemistry, Physical medicine and rehabilitation, Internal medicine, Surgery, Alternative medicine, Psychiatry, Pathology
- MeSH
- humans, parkinson disease, prospective studies, low-level light therapy, covid-19, sars-cov-2
8 authors
From AU
- Ann D. Liebert · correspondingThe University of Sydney; Sydney Adventist Hospital
- Brian T. Bicknell
- E‐Liisa LaaksoGriffith University; Mater Research
- Gillian Ziona HellerThe University of Sydney; National Health and Medical Research Council; Macquarie University
- Parastoo JalilitabaeiThe University of Sydney
- Sharon Tilley
Abstract
Background
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no cure and few treatment options. Its incidence is increasing due to aging populations, longer disease duration and potentially as a COVID-19 sequela. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been successfully used in animal models to reduce the signs of PD and to protect dopaminergic neurons.
Objective
To assess the effectiveness of PBM to mitigate clinical signs of PD in a prospective proof-of-concept study, using a combination of transcranial and remote treatment, in order to inform on best practice for a larger randomized placebo-controlled trial (RCT).
Methods
Twelve participants with idiopathic PD were recruited. Six were randomly chosen to begin 12 weeks of transcranial, intranasal, neck and abdominal PBM. The remaining 6 were waitlisted for 14 weeks before commencing the same treatment. After the 12-week treatment period, all participants were supplied with PBM devices to continue home treatment. Participants were assessed for mobility, fine motor skills, balance and cognition before treatment began, after 4 weeks of treatment, after 12 weeks of treatment and the end of the home treatment period. A Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test was used to assess treatment effectiveness at a significance level of 5%.
Results
Measures of mobility, cognition, dynamic balance and fine motor skill were significantly improved (p < 0.05) with PBM treatment for 12 weeks and up to one year. Many individual improvements were above the minimal clinically important difference, the threshold judged to be meaningful for participants. Individual improvements varied but many continued for up to one year with sustained home treatment. There was a demonstrable Hawthorne Effect that was below the treatment effect. No side effects of the treatment were observed.
Conclusions
PBM was shown to be a safe and potentially effective treatment for a range of clinical signs and symptoms of PD. Improvements were maintained for as long as treatment continued, for up to one year in a neurodegenerative disease where decline is typically expected. Home treatment of PD by the person themselves or with the help of a carer might be an effective therapy option. The results of this study indicate that a large RCT is warranted.
Trial registration
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, registration number: ACTRN12618000038291p , registered on 12/01/2018.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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