New hope for Parkinson's disease: Discover how red light therapy trials show promise in slowing neurodegeneration & easing symptoms.
Most people first heard about Parkinson’s disease when actor Michael J. Fox revealed his diagnosis, yet much about the condition remains unclear.
Parkinson’s is a brain disorder that causes tremor, stiffness, and problems with balance, coordination, and walking. Symptoms worsen gradually, and many patients also experience depression, sleep disturbance, memory problems, and fatigue.
Onset is usually around age 60; early-onset cases may begin near age 50. Progression is commonly described in five stages:
Stage one: Mild symptoms that rarely interfere with daily activities.
Stage two: Tremor and rigidity become more noticeable.
Stage three: Loss of balance and slowed movement begin to impair daily tasks.
Stage four: Severe disability; most patients need a walker and cannot live alone.
Stage five: Walking may be impossible; patients are often wheelchair-bound or bedridden and require 24-hour care.
The illness is challenging both for patients and for those who support them.
Although no cure exists, treatments such as medication and physical therapy can ease symptoms. Non-invasive red-light therapy is also being studied.
A 2020 French trial implanted a fiber-optic device to deliver red light into the brain’s degenerating regions. After one year, the therapy appeared to slow—but not stop—neurodegeneration. Laboratory work suggests the light may boost cellular energy (ATP), helping neurons resist stress; larger studies are ongoing.
Parkinson’s disease overview (NIA) Search related studies on PubMed Global trial registry
Another trial is set to start this summer for at-home use by people with Parkinson’s. PhotoPharmic, the company running the study, aims to reach underserved patients in remote U.S. regions. The trial plans to enroll 200 participants aged 45 years or older to test the device. By combining specific wavelengths of light, researchers hope to help regulate circadian rhythms, a common disruption in Parkinson’s. If results are positive, the approach could represent progress for many of the estimated 10 million people living with Parkinson’s worldwide.
These studies have been a long time in the making. The potential benefits of light therapy are increasingly recognized, prompting more formal research into its clinical value.
People with Parkinson’s do not necessarily have to wait for new devices to reach the market—some options are already available. In addition to standard physical therapy, many patients seek non-pharmaceutical support.
Kayian is one of the larger light-therapy suppliers. Our devices are MDA-certified and FDA-cleared for indicated uses, and we collaborate with clinicians to develop products for clinic and home settings. Patients interested in bright-light therapy can discuss a certified home-use device with their healthcare provider.
Stay tuned for further data on light therapy in neurodegenerative conditions.
