Background: Brain
disorders have become more and more common today, due to both the aging
population and the ever-expanding sports community. However, a new therapeutic
technology called photobiomodulation (PBM) is giving
hope to thousands of individuals in need. Traumatic brain injury (TBI),
dementia, post traumatic stress (PTSD) and attention deficit (ADD) disorders
are in many cases quickly and safely improved by PBM. PBM employs red or
near-infrared (NIR) light (600 - 1100 nm) to stimulate healing, protect tissue from
dying, increase mitochondrial function, improve blood flow, and tissue
oxygenation. PBM can also act to reduce edema, increase antioxidants, decrease
inflammation, protect against apoptosis, and modulate the microglial activation
state. All these effects can occur when light is delivered to the head, and can
be beneficial in both acute and chronic brain conditions. Methods:In this case series, we used a high power,
FDA-approved superpulsed laser system applied to the head to treat four chronic
stroke patients. Patients received as few as three 6 - 9 minute treatments over
a one-week period. The follow up
time varied, but in one case was two years. Results: Patients showed
significant improvement in their speech and verbal skills. Improvements were
also noticed in walking ability, limb movement, less numbness, and better vision. Conclusion: The use of PBM in stroke
rehabilitation deserves to be tested in controlled clinical trials,
because this common condition has no approved pharmaceutical treatment at
present.
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