Photobiomodulation therapy in mood disorders: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Mood disorders represent a significant societal burden, with existing treatments often causing side effects or resistance.
• Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) offers a novel approach using light photons to modulate tissue function.
• This systematic review evaluates PBMT's efficacy and parameters for treating mood disorders.

Approach:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across major databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect) following PRISMA guidelines.
• Studies published between January 2009 and August 2021, including human and animal research in English, were included.
• Sixteen studies, including four randomized controlled trials (RCTs), met the inclusion criteria for analysis.

Key Points:

• Optimal PBMT parameters identified include infrared wavelengths (800-830 nm), power density (250 mW/cm²), and energy density (60-120 J/cm²).
• Quality assessment of RCTs revealed 2 out of 4 studies as high quality.
• PBMT is strongly recommended for moderate major depressive disorder (MDD) and recommended for anxiety disorder.

Conclusions:

• PBMT demonstrates significant therapeutic potential for specific mood disorders.
• The findings support PBMT as a viable treatment option, particularly for moderate MDD and anxiety.
• Further investigation is required to establish PBMT's efficacy and recommendations for bipolar disorder treatment.