Light Therapy Plus Exercise to Improve Motor, Non-Motor Symptoms and QoL in Parkinson's Disease

Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Photobiomodulation With Exercise, to Enhance Motor, Cognition and the Quality of Life of Those With Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a lifelong and progressive disease and is the second most common progressive neurodegenerative disease worldwide.

This study will examine whether there are significant differences in motor (e.g., balance and gait) and non-motor (e.g., cognition, mood, smell & sleep ) symptoms and quality of life between the Real (active) at-home photobiomodulation (light therapy) combined with exercise group and the Placebo (sham) at-home photobiomodulation (light therapy) combined with exercise group. Each group (Real & Placebo) will include 30 participants; with moderate PD, ages 55-80. Three outcome measurement sessions will be conducted; at the study entry and the end of Weeks 1 & 4 after the last light therapy treatment. Exercise must have been part of the participant's routine before entering the study and will continue during and after the light therapy treatments have been completed.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a lifelong and progressive disease; symptoms slowly worsen over time. PD worldwide is the second most common progressive neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease. To date there is no cure and few long term effective treatment options.

This research study will use two photobiomodulation (light therapy) devices for at-home treatment by the participant using near-infrared (NIR) and visible red photobiomodulation (PBM). Eligible individuals include those with moderate stage PD and between 55-80 years old. The Real (Active) Group (n=30) will be compared with the Placebo (Sham) group (n=30) to determine whether there are significant differences in motor, cognition and QoL. Exercise will have been part of the subject's routine before entering the study and will continue after the PBM treatments have been completed.

PBM treatments include abdominal and transcranial applications. We believe this is the first combined PBM treatment protocol being used in Canada. Placebo and Real PBM devices look and function the same. The treatment protocol used in this trial is similar to recent Australian PD research using a combination of laser and light-emitting diode (LED) treatments. For almost 20 years, similar transcranial LED parameters have been used safely and effectively to treat traumatic brain injury (TBI), aphasia post stroke and Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Neurologist-diagnosed Hoehn and Yahr Stages 2-3 (moderate) idiopathic PD;
• With or without anti-Parkinson's Disease medications;
• Able to attend the PD Wellness & Innovation Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada,
• Participating in exercise program prior to enrolment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous PBM treatment
• MOCA score of ≤23/30
• Insufficient understanding of English to sign an informed consent, understand teaching and to perform at-home PBM treatment
• Physically unable to perform tasks required for outcome measurement testing
• History of significant unstable musculoskeletal or neurological disorders or unstable cardiac condition