Can Light Therapy Help with Autism Symptoms? New Research Shines a Light on the Possibilities
Living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be challenging for both children and their families, with symptoms affecting social skills, communication, and daily life. While there are many therapies available, researchers are continually looking for new and effective ways to help. One promising area is a non-invasive treatment called
transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), which uses near-infrared light to target specific areas of the brain.
How Does it Work?
tPBM therapy uses a device that delivers pulses of light directly to the head. This type of light therapy has been shown to potentially restore mitochondrial function, reduce inflammation, and improve brain activity. These effects are particularly relevant for ASD, as studies suggest a link between the condition and issues like mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammation.
The Study: A Look at the Results
A recent open-label study involving 22 children aged 2 to 7 with an ASD diagnosis explored the effects of tPBM. The participants received treatment twice a week for 8 weeks. The study measured changes in ASD symptoms using the
Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS-2), which is a common clinical tool.
The results were encouraging:
Significant Symptom Reduction: The children showed a significant average reduction of 7 points on their CARS-2 scores after the treatment. This is considered a clinically meaningful change, as prior research has established that a 4.5-point improvement is significant.
Positive Brain Changes: The study also used electroencephalogram (EEG) readings to monitor brain activity. As the treatment sessions increased, there was a decrease in delta brainwave power and an increase in both gamma and beta power.
Safety and Side Effects: The treatment was well-tolerated, with no moderate or severe side effects reported. Four participants experienced headaches and 17 experienced hyperactivity at least once, according to their parents.
What Do These Results Mean?
The findings of this study support the idea that tPBM could be a safe and effective treatment for reducing core ASD symptoms. The changes in brainwave patterns—specifically the decrease in delta waves and the increase in gamma and beta waves—are particularly interesting. Higher gamma wave power is associated with better memory and cognition, and the observed changes moved brain activity toward a more typical pattern. The decrease in delta waves may even indicate a reduction in neuroinflammation, which is known to affect ASD symptoms.
A Step Forward, But More Research is Needed
While these results are promising, it’s important to remember that this was a small, open-label study, meaning it did not have a control group. The researchers noted that future, larger-scale studies with more rigorous designs are needed to confirm these findings. They also suggest that future research should look at long-term effects and consider additional factors like gender and co-occurring conditions, such as ADHD or anxiety.
Overall, this study adds valuable evidence to the growing body of research on tPBM and its potential to improve the lives of children with ASD.
Source
Fradkin Y, Anguera JA, Simon AJ, De Taboada L, Steingold E. Transcranial photobiomodulation for reducing symptoms of autism spectrum disorder and modulating brain electrophysiology in children aged 2-7: an open label study. Front Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2025 Jan 29;4:1477839. doi: 10.3389/frcha.2025.1477839. PMID: 39944746; PMCID: PMC11814471. [Link]