Transcranial Photobiomodulation for Anxiety

This trial explores a new method using light therapy on the forehead, known as transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), to reduce anxiety. Researchers are testing whether tPBM, combined with techniques to alter attention focus, can ease symptoms in individuals with mild anxiety. Participants will receive either the real light therapy or a placebo version to compare results. This trial suits those experiencing moderate anxiety symptoms who are not on unstable medications. As an unphased trial, participants can contribute to innovative research that may lead to new anxiety treatments.

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it requires that your medication has been stable for at least 6 weeks. If you've recently changed medications, you might not be eligible.

Research has shown that transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) is generally safe and non-invasive. Although large studies are limited, smaller studies have not identified any serious safety issues. Participants have tolerated the treatment well, and it is considered affordable and effective. Reviews of this therapy for brain diseases suggest it may help conditions like anxiety without major side effects. As a non-invasive treatment, tPBM does not involve surgery or breaking the skin, often making it safer than other treatments. However, more consistent data on its safety is still needed for wider use.¹²³⁴⁵

Unlike the standard treatments for anxiety, which typically involve medications like SSRIs or benzodiazepines, transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) uses light to stimulate brain activity. This method is unique because it targets specific areas of the brain directly through the forehead without the need for drugs, potentially reducing side effects. Researchers are excited about tPBM because it could offer a quicker onset of relief for anxiety symptoms compared to traditional medications, which often take several weeks to show effectiveness. Additionally, this non-invasive technique might provide a new option for those who do not respond well to existing treatments.

Research shows that transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) may help reduce anxiety. Studies have found that tPBM significantly improved anxiety in people treated for other conditions, with benefits lasting at least a month. Another study found tPBM effective and well-tolerated by people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). In this trial, some participants will receive active tPBM treatment, while others will receive a sham tPBM treatment. Additionally, using tPBM with other treatments can enhance the effects of standard medications like SSRIs, a type of antidepressant. These findings suggest that tPBM could help ease anxiety symptoms.³⁴⁶⁷⁸