Abstract
This study explored the outcome of applying red/near-infrared light therapy using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) pulsed with three different frequencies transcranially to treat traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Veterans. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) using LEDs has been shown to have positive effects on TBI in humans and animal models. Twelve symptomatic military Veterans diagnosed with chronic TBI >18 months post-trauma received pulsed transcranial PBMT (tPBMT) using two neoprene therapy pads containing 220 infrared and 180 red LEDs, generating a power output of 3.3 W and an average power density of 6.4 mW/cm2 for 20 min, thrice per week over 6 weeks. Outcome measures included standardized neuropsychological test scores and qualitative and quantitative single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) measures of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). Pulsed tPBMT significantly improved neuropsychological scores in 6 of 15 subscales (40.0%; p < 0.05; two tailed). SPECT analysis showed increase in rCBF in 8 of 12 (66.7%) study participants. Quantitative SPECT analysis revealed a significant increase in rCBF in this subgroup of study participants and a significant difference between pre-treatment and post-treatment gamma ray counts per cubic centimeter [t = 3.77, df = 7, p = 0.007, 95% confidence interval (95,543.21-21,931.82)]. This is the first study to report quantitative SPECT analysis of rCBF in regions of interest following pulsed tPBMT with LEDs in TBI. Pulsed tPBMT using LEDs shows promise in improving cognitive function and rCBF several years after TBI. Larger, controlled studies are indicated.
Highlights
The incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) has grown over the past decade
Nonsignificant estimates were found for the TMTB, digit vigilance test (DVT), and remaining CVLT-II and WAIS-IV subtests (Table 3)
Each scan produced up to 75 slices and 192 images compared to a normative database by paired t-test to 138 different regions of interest (ROIs)
Summary
The incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) has grown over the past decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that >2.5 million TBI cases were reported in emergency departments in 2010, versus 1.5 million in 2001.1 Among returning soldiers, TBIs have been recognized as the ‘‘signature wound’’ of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Anxiety, and psychological symptoms are markedly elevated in TBI survivors.[2,3] The U.S Veterans Administration has estimated the suicide rate among Veterans is 22 per day.[4] In addition, there has been increased media attention to the effects of TBI in various sports at all levels. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) has demonstrated positive effects on TBI in humans and animal models.[5,6,7,8] In addition, near-infrared (NIR) light with LEDs has been demonstrated to penetrate the human skull in multiple studies.[9,10,11] Hamblin has reported on the safety, convenience, and efficacy of using LEDs as a legitimate source of PBMT for several brain disorders.[7,8,12,13]
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