There is a close association between the gut microbiome and metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases, especially in Parkinson’s disease. The potential of photobiomodulation to alleviate motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease has been demonstrated in animal experiments and proof-of-concept clinical trials. We have also previously shown that PBM can alter the gut microbiome in a mouse model, case studies and in a clinical trial of Parkinson’s disease. Here we present a clinical trial documenting changes in the microbiome of Parkinson’s participants with abdominal PBM that parallel changes in the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and the disruption of the PBM effects by antibiotics.
A number of studies have suggested that PBM can have positive effects on the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The objective of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) for Parkinson’s disease symptoms, including motor symptoms, as measured by UPDRS, and sense of smell and patient reported outcomes. A 20+20 double-blind, randomised, sham controlled trial was conducted over 24 weeks, with Group 1 having sham helmet for 12 weeks and then active helmet for 12 weeks and Group 2 having active helmet for 12 weeks and then no treatment for 12 weeks. The clinical trial was conducted entirely remotely during the COVID-19 restrictions. Despite a large placebo effect, the treatment was found to be both safe and effective, with a clinically and statistically significant reduction in UPDRS scores. There were also improvements in some participants sense of smell and quality of life.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.