Exploring the Effect of Combined Transcranial and Intra-Oral Photobiomodulation Therapy Over a Four-Week Period on Physical and Cognitive Outcome Measures for People with Parkinson’s Disease: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Joanne Bullock-Saxton ◽  
Alexander Lehn ◽  
E-Liisa Laakso

Background: Neuroprotection against Parkinson’s disease degeneration by photobiomodulation has been reported in animal models but no true placebo-controlled human studies have been published. Objective: To understand if photobiomodulation therapy can produce clinically significant differences in physical performance measures in people with Parkinson’s disease; and what frequency of treatment is necessary to initiate clinical change. Methods: In a participant and assessor-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study, 22 participants received either sham and/or active laser photobiomodulation (904 nm, 60 mW/diode, 50 Hz) for 33 s to each of 21 points at the cranium and intra-orally, on one, two or three times/week for 4 weeks. Two treatment phases were separated by a 4-week wash-out (Phase 2). Upper and lower limb physical outcome measures were assessed before and after each treatment phase. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment was evaluated prior to treatment Phase 1, and at the end of treatment Phase 3. Results: Montreal Cognitive Assessment remained stable between start and end of study. No measures demonstrated statistically significant changes. With regular treatment, the spiral (writing) test and the dynamic step test were most sensitive to change in a positive direction; and the 9-hole peg test demonstrated a minimum clinically important difference worthy of further investigation in a larger, adequately powered clinical trial. A placebo effect was noted. Conclusion: The results support the notion that combined transcranial and intra-oral photobiomodulation therapy needs to be applied at least 2 to 3 times per week for at least four weeks before some improvement in outcome measures becomes evident. Longer courses of treatment may be required.

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 44-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kouichi Ohta ◽  
Takashi Osada ◽  
Yukito Shinohara ◽  
Norihiro Suzuki ◽  
Kazushi Takahashi ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krisly Arguedas Vásquez ◽  
Erick Miranda Valverde ◽  
Daniel Valerio Aguilar ◽  
Henri-Jacques Hernández Gabarain

ABSTRACT. Several screening tests have been used for cognitive evaluation in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in patients with Parkinson’s disease and no cognitive impairment complaints. Methods: A total of 40 PD patients with no complaints of cognitive problems were included. Patients were selected using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the MoCA was then administered. Results: 80% of patients exhibited Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) according to the MoCA. Statistically significant differences in visuospatial, attention and delayed recall functions were evident between the normal and abnormal MoCA groups. Conclusion: The study results suggest that MoCA may be a good screening test in patients with PD who do not present cognitive complaints.


2018 ◽  
Vol 265 (9) ◽  
pp. 1976-1984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Sulzer ◽  
Sara Becker ◽  
Walter Maetzler ◽  
Elke Kalbe ◽  
Luc van Nueten ◽  
...  

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