Photobiomodulation as a promising new tool in the management of psychological disorders: A systematic review. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gutiérrez-Menéndez, Alba; Marcos-Nistal, Marta; Méndez, Marta; Arias, Jorge L.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 119(2020)
• Page Start: 242
• Page End: 254
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: ABM attention bias modification -- ADHD attention deficit hyperactivity disorder -- ASLMS American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery -- ATP adenosine triphosphate -- BDNF brain-derived neurotrophic factor -- CCO cytochrome c oxidase -- CNS central nervous system -- DMN default mode network -- LED light-emitting diode -- OCD obsessive-compulsive disorder -- PBM photobiomodulation -- PBMT photobiomodulation therapy -- ROS reactive oxygen species -- SAD seasonal affective disorder -- WOS Web of Science; Photobiomodulation -- Near-infrared light -- Psychopathology -- Therapy -- Treatment; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.10.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

Highlights: Photobiomodulation achieves enough brain penetration to produce beneficial effects. Wavelengths of 810 nm are suitable for the treatment of depression. Wavelengths of 1064 nm obtain cognitive enhancement. Scalp irradiance of 250 Wm/ cm 2 and scalp fluency of 60 J/ cm 2 improve cognitive functions. Weekly application on bilateral prefrontal cortex maintains the effects. Abstract: Photobiomodulation is a brain modulation technique that has become a promising treatment for multiple pathologies. This systematic review collects studies up to 2019 about the beneficial effects of photobiomodulation as a therapy for treating psychological disorders and a tool for modulating cognitive processes. This technique is mostly used for the treatment of depression and stress, as well as to study its effects on psychological variables in healthy subjects. Despite the lack of parameters used, photobiomodulation seems to achieve enough brain penetration to produce beneficial effects in healthy subjects and patients with multiple pathologies. The best parameters are the wavelengths of 810 nm for the treatment of depression and 1064 nm for cognitive enhancement, along with a scalp irradiance of 250 mW/cm 2 and a scalp yield of 60 J/cm 2 . It weekly application on the bilateral prefrontal area and the default mode network seems to be ideal for the maintenance of the effects. Photobiomodulation could be used as an effective and safe therapy for the treatment of multiple psychological pathologies.