ALSUntangled #60: light therapy

Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener. 2022 May;23(3-4):315-319. doi: 10.1080/21678421.2021.1883668. Epub 2021 Mar 8.

Abstract

ALSUntangled reviews alternative and off-label treatments for people with ALS. Here we review light therapy. We show that it has theoretically plausible mechanisms, three flawed pre-clinical data, studies, and one incompletely documented case report supporting its use. We explain why further studies are needed to determine whether any specific light therapy protocol can help people with ALS.

Keywords: Light; alternative therapy; energy; epidemiology; ethics; therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Phototherapy