“Until we can stop or prevent the disease, it is essential that we effectively treat Alzheimer’s in those living with it, and improve quality of life for the person and family,” she said.

The study was small, but a variety of therapy options were analyzed. Sexton explained that the size implies that the results can’t be translated into recommendations for individuals.

Rather, the work emphasizes the need for further research, as well as shared and standardized protocols going forward.

“It is very important that the Alzheimer’s/dementia research field addresses and effectively treats the challenging symptoms and behaviors common to people living with Alzheimer’s, in addition to treating the cognitive symptoms, changing the course of the disease, and eventually preventing Alzheimer’s and all other dementias,” she said.

Here’s how light therapy may help those with Alzheimer’s disease.

Light Therapy’s Range of Benefits May Directly Ease Alzheimer’s Symptoms

There are a variety of light therapy options, but the new study focused specifically on photobiomodulation to see how it impacted people with Alzheimer’s.

During light therapy, the light is absorbed by cells and provides energy support, he explained. This also increases blood flow.

Some of these physical benefits could be due to the effect that light therapy has on melatonin, Bredesen explained, which is directly tied to sleep. Meanwhile, improvements in behavior could be tied to the fact that light therapy reduces inflammation and improves blood flow, he said.

He explained that the combined impact on neurotransmitters makes light therapy a valuable intervention for enhancing sleep quality and psycho-social well-being.

For light therapy to be useful, Bredesen explained that people usually need two to three sessions of therapy per week—ideally 10 to 30 minutes per session. Most often, light therapy is used in the evening, though if people are particularly struggling with waking up, they may prefer to do it in the morning, he said.

“Light therapy can improve sleep patterns, reduce night-time restlessness, and address mood-related symptoms and sundowning, fostering better overall psycho-social well-being,” said DuBose.

Consequently, DuBose said that light therapy could potentially preserve cognitive function and slow cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s.

This, ultimately, could enhance the overall quality of life for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

But, More Light Therapy Research Is a Must

While the results of the study are encouraging, more research is needed for any clinical certainty on how light therapy impacts Alzheimer’s.

It is possible that this non-invasive treatment option could become an important tool for managing some symptoms associated with the disease, but it is too early to recommend it as a protocol for treatment.

“The results [of this study] suggest that the combined evidence, though modest in scale, is encouraging but preliminary, and justifies further research in larger, more representative study populations,” Sexton said.

She explained that if additional research indicates that light therapy can be used for Alzheimer’s, it would be a valuable non-pharmacological intervention that’s safe, non-invasive, and perhaps more cost-efficient than other options.

While light therapy research is still in its infancy, it may be a complementary approach to Alzheimer’s alongside other treatments in the future.

If you have any questions or concerns about light therapy or how it could impact your health circumstance, consult a trusted healthcare professional.