Increasing numbers of studies suggest light therapy could be an important and safe treatment for dementia
Posted BY: Jasmine | NwoReport
Degenerative neurological disorders, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, can significantly affect an individual’s cognitive abilities and overall quality of life. While there is currently no commonly prescribed cure for these conditions, researchers are exploring new treatments that may help slow the conditions’ progression or alleviate specific symptoms.
One treatment that has shown promise is light therapy.
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Light May Heal
Phototherapy, also called light therapy or photobiomodulation, involves using specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cells in the body. A meta-analysis published in Brain and Behavior in April, 2023, looked at 12 controlled trials and concluded that phototherapy “may be one of the most promising non-pharmacological interventions for improving core symptoms of dementia.”
The studies included older adults of all ages with various types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson’s, and mixed type/other causes.
Isabella Park, DO, associate medical director and director of geriatrics and palliative care for Northwell Long Island Jewish Forest Hills, told The Epoch Times that the study findings suggest that phototherapy can significantly improve cognitive function—including memory, attention, and executive function—in patients with dementia.
“The positive effects were observed in both short-term and long-term interventions,” she noted but also cautioned that phototherapy shouldn’t be used as a substitute for other treatments for dementia, such as medication and behavioral therapies.
Although the field is still in its early stages, there is growing evidence to suggest that phototherapy may be effective in improving cognitive function and reducing symptoms of cognitive decline.
