A preliminary study involving collegiate football players suggests that red light therapy may be associated with reduced brain inflammation over a 16-week season. Researchers compared players receiving active red light therapy to a placebo group, observing differences in brain inflammation as measured by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans. The findings indicate a potential area for further research into mitigating long-term brain health issues linked to repetitive head impacts.
Study Overview
The study aimed to investigate whether transcranial photobiomodulation, also known as red light therapy, could prevent or reduce brain inflammation in collegiate football players exposed to repeated head impacts. Repeated impacts, even those not directly to the head, are understood to potentially cause microscopic brain damage or initiate processes that can lead to long-term health issues such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), memory loss, and confusion. Current concussion therapies primarily address symptoms after an injury has occurred.
Methodology
Twenty-six collegiate football players participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to one of two groups: an active red light therapy group or a placebo control group.
- Treatment Administration: Participants in both groups self-administered their assigned therapy three times per week for 20 minutes per session throughout the entire 16-week football season.
- Devices: The active therapy involved a light-emitting headset and a nasal device. The placebo group used an identical device that did not emit light.
- Assessment: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans were conducted at the beginning and end of the football season to assess brain inflammation levels in all participants.
Key Findings
At the conclusion of the season:
- Players in the placebo group exhibited an increase in brain inflammation compared to their initial scans.
- Players who received active red light therapy did not show an increase in brain inflammation during the same period. This observation was consistent across nearly all regions of the brain.
Hannah Lindsey, PhD, a research associate in neurology at University of Utah Health and the study's first author, noted these findings. Elisabeth Wilde, PhD, professor of neurology at U of U Health and senior author, commented that while initially skeptical, consistent results across multiple preliminary studies are contributing to the findings being considered.
Potential Mechanism
Researchers propose that sufficiently powerful red light can penetrate the skull to reach the brain's outer surface, albeit in minimal amounts. Previous studies involving human cells and animal models have demonstrated that specific light wavelengths can reduce the levels of molecules associated with inflammation. This proposed mechanism is considered plausible, although the application of red light therapy for brain health remains in its early stages.
Limitations and Future Research
The study's small sample size resulted in different initial levels of inflammation between the treatment and control groups, which researchers acknowledge highlights the need for larger randomized clinical trials.
The research group is initiating a Department of Defense-funded randomized controlled trial designed to include 300 participants. This future study will focus on individuals experiencing persistent symptoms from traumatic brain injury (TBI) or concussion, specifically first responders, veterans, and active-duty service members. Recruitment for this trial is anticipated to begin in February or March 2026. Carrie Esopenko, PhD, associate professor of neurology at U of U Health and second author, stated that these initial results could potentially contribute to improving athlete safety across various sports and age groups.
Funding and Contributors
The research was supported by grants from Brigham Young University (BYU) and the BYU College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences. Lawrence Carr, PhD, a consultant for Vielight, Inc., which manufactures the light-emitting devices used in the study, was involved in the research.