Can Red & Near-Infrared Light Help with Parkinson’s Symptoms?

Can Red & Near-Infrared Light Help with Parkinson’s Symptoms?

I get alot of questions about red light therapy so I thought I would share it my thoughts with you. There is more research surfacing on the benefits of red light therapy so I wanted to summarize these most recent research as it relates to Parkinson's.

The short answer: Maybe—when you stick with it and pair it with exercise.

A new clinical study looked at at-home red and near-infrared light therapy (also called photobiomodulation or PBM) for people with Parkinson’s. Everyone in the study kept up a vigorous Parkinson’s-specific exercise program. Some used real light devices on the head, back of neck, and abdomen three times a week; others used look-alike “sham” devices at first. MDPI

What they found

• First 8–16 weeks: Light therapy did not beat exercise alone on the main mobility test. Exercise works—and in the short term it carried the day. MDPI

• Over months: People who kept using light therapy for several more months showed better mobility, less anxiety, and easier motor activities of daily living compared to those who stopped. In other words, consistency over time mattered. MDPI

• Safety: The therapy was generally well-tolerated, with only minor, temporary side effects reported. MDPI

So…should I try it?

PBM isn’t a cure and it’s not a replacement for your meds or your workouts. But this larger, carefully run study suggests that adding PBM to a strong exercise routine may help your mobility and anxiety if you commit to it for months, not weeks. Think of it as another tool in your Parkinson’s toolbox—like boxing, balance work, meds, sleep, and community. MDPI

How PBM is used in studies

• Where: Head, upper neck, and abdomen (yes, treating the gut may help via the gut–brain connection).

• What: Red and near-infrared light from LEDs or low-level lasers; the study used an LED helmet plus a 904-nm laser for abdomen/neck.

• When: About 24 minutes, three times a week, with consistency over many months. MDPI

My practical takeaways at Boxing 4 Health

1. Exercise first. It remains the most proven way to improve symptoms and quality of life. PBM should add to, not replace, your training. MDPI

2. If you add PBM, plan for months. Expect gradual benefits; the study’s improvements showed up with continued use, not overnight. MDPI

3. Keep your care team in the loop. Always discuss new therapies with your neurologist or primary care provider, especially if you have other health conditions.

4. Track your progress. Note changes in mobility (Timed Up & Go), daily tasks, mood/anxiety, and sleep so you can see what’s helping. MDPI

This is the red light therapy helmet and PD laser I have and many B4H clients have purchased as well. Unfortunately it's more challenging to get them to Canada now but I do have a way to do it through an Australian source so if you are interested in either device or both please let me know. You can check out the companies website as well. www.symbyxbiome.com

A note on evidence

Earlier research hinted that PBM could help PD motor and non-motor symptoms; this new trial adds weight by including randomization and a longer follow-up—while also reminding us that short trials may not tell the full story for slowly changing conditions like PD. More large, long-duration studies are in the works. PMC+2PubMed+2

In good health,

Christine