Light therapy for Parkinson's disease symptoms

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of light therapy on cognitive and motor symptoms in individuals with Parkinson's disease. The non-invasive therapy involves delivering low-level wavelength light to the frontal cortex for 12 minutes, three times a week over six weeks. Participants will undergo cognitive and motor tests before and after the intervention to assess any changes, while controlling for factors such as age, sex, disease severity, medication, and exercise. The study aims to provide insights into the potential benefits of light therapy for managing Parkinson's symptoms.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of Parkinson disease

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Participants who are unable to comply with study visit/testing requirements (e.g.

   participants who cannot go off PD medication for the pre-, post-, and 3-month assessments).
2. Participants who are unable to provide consent.
3. Participants with a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) device.
4. Participants who have a history of a psychiatric disorder
5. Participants with PD who have other concurrent movement/neurological conditions, including dystonia, dementia, epilepsy etc.
6. Participants with a clinical diagnosis of PD that is not considered primary (e.g.

   vascular parkinsonism) or participants where an atypical form of parkinsonism is suspected (e.g., progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple system atrophy).
7. Participants with a history of cancer (whether treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy or not).
8. Participants with a history of a recent concussion or any facial, neck, or head injury within the last 6 months. UD IRB Approved: 03/12/2025 IRBNet ID#: 2277769-2 I/C from Rev. 01/2024 Page 3 of 10 Participant's Initial's \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
9. Known injury or disease that might interfere with motor function in the proposed experiments (e.g., stroke, traumatic brain injury, extrapyramidal dysfunction, neuromuscular disease, orthopedic problems that impair movement).
10. Participants with a history of photosensitivity.
11. Participants who are not able to walk unassisted for 2 minutes

Where it's running

• University of Delaware STAR Tower
  Newark, Delaware, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Sara Penuela, PhD student
• Email: penuelas@udel.edu
• Phone: 9739740120

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.