Long Covid Treatment With Photobiomodulation Therapy: Does it work?
There are numerous approaches to improving brain health and functioning, among them are several techniques that are both non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical, these include light therapy also called photobiomodulation therapy (PBM), peripheral biofeedback (BFB) and brainwave biofeedback or neurofeedback (NFB).
I want to outline here the history and future for how these approaches can be combined to substantively advance the treatment of neurodegenerative, neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental challenges, e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and autistic spectrum disorder.
Photobiomodulation Therapy and Neurofeedback Purpose
As I’ve explained in other articles, the purpose of photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) is to increase cellular energy metabolism, modify tissue-level pathology and protect the cells against further damage. One mechanism of action is the stimulation of cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondria to increase output of adenosine triphosphate or ATP. See Fig.1
Schematic diagram showing the direct stimulation mechanism of photobiomodulation. When photobiomodulation hits the cells directly, it is absorbed by a photoreceptor, most notably cytochrome oxidase c or interfacial nanowater within the mitochondria. This results in the production of more ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and the activation of transcription factors in the nucleus and expression of protective and stimulatory genes within the cells. The net result is a healthier cell. (Moro C, Valverde A, Dole M, Hoh Kam J, Hamilton C, Liebert A, Bicknell B, Benabid A-L, Magistretti P and Mitrofanis J (2022) The effect of photobiomodulation on the brain during wakefulness and sleep. Front. Neurosci. 16:942536.doi: 10.3389/fnins.2022.942536)
Neurofeedback or brainwave biofeedback has been shown to help renormalize brain electrical connectivity, thereby increasing the body’s capacity to maintain a more efficient and thereby, healthier level of functioning. Quietmind Foundation and Neuronic’s approach to brain health and wellness seeks to integrate these two approaches with a comprehensive understanding of our functional health status.
Both photobiomodulation therapy (PBM), brainwave biofeedback or neurofeedback (NFB) and peripheral biofeedback (BFB) have been deployed clinically for between 60 to 100+ years respectively, so we have a good, scientific, and applied clinical understanding as to the mechanisms underlying each approach.
Quietmind Foundation’s studies of both techniques arose from our search to develop treatment models for dementia and Parkinson’s disease first using brainwave biofeedback or neurofeedback (NFB) (1), then LED-based, pulsed 1070nm near infrared light stimulation. (2) We have shown in our research that these two modalities can modify both cognitive and behavioral symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Other studies have demonstrated photobiomodulation therapy's effectiveness with numerous other conditions. This figure shows the range of clinical applications:
Long Covid Treatment with Photobiomodulation Therapy
Concern over the impact of long Covid on neurological functioning is becoming a major worldwide focus for public health administrators and the healthcare delivery system. It is now estimated that 10% of all those who have been infected with Covid (16MM) will go on to show longer-term neurological symptoms (long covid), including brain fog, memory loss, neuropsychiatric symptoms of depression and anxiety.
This figure from (3) gives an overview of long Covid treatments and symptoms.
Integrated photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) and neurofeedback (NFB) now represents a scalable, safe and reliable, self-administered, culture-free, and easily deployed long Covid treatment option.
Fig. An overview of the symptoms, putative pathophysiology, associated risk factors, and potential treatments involved in long COVID. Note: Dashed lines represent areas where evidence is relatively lacking compared to non-dashed lines.
With the current evidence on how the impact of long Covid can be mitigated by 1070nm photobiomodulation therapy (PBM), our current efforts are to obtain support for trials directed at the underlying pathophysiological response as well as clinical trials with long covid subjects. We hope to show that repeated exposure to the 1070nm photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) will decrease long Covid treatment duration and intensity of symptoms and their recurrence as well as diminish the severity of post infection neurological injury.
Combining photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) with neurofeedback training is, based on our research and experience, likely to support more rapid and robust recovery due to the synergistic effects of repairing tissue-level damage, conferring ongoing neuroprotection and renormalizing neural network connectivity.
Neuronic’s goal is to soon provide a safe, low-cost, effective, home-based treatment unit that will integrate HRV and EEG neurofeedback. We will then seek FDA approval for this technology as a treatment for neurodegenerative disorders, e.g., Alzheimer’s, ALS and Parkinson’s disease.
Disclaimer: Neuronic does not provide any medical device nor is it providing a medical service.
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