“Photobiomodulation” isn’t a word most of us use every day, but the science behind this emerging technology has been lighting up the Parkinson’s research field recently. Also known as red light therapy, this non-invasive approach uses specific wavelengths of red or near-infrared light that are directed at the head or body. Many people are hearing about it through social media, wellness centres, or word-of-mouth, and are wondering whether it might help with Parkinson’s symptoms. 

Before anyone invests in a device or adds red light therapy to their routine, it’s important to understand where the research stands, what we do and don’t yet know, and what recent studies, including one here in Canada, might mean for people living with Parkinson’s. 

What is red light therapy? 

Red and near-infrared light therapy delivers light at wavelengths that can penetrate the skin without heating or damaging it. Research teams around the world are exploring whether this light can influence cell function, especially in the brain. 

Scientists hypothesize that these wavelengths may support the mitochondria, the “power stations” inside our cells.1 By helping mitochondria work more efficiently, this light can boost energy production in cells. In turn, this may support brain health by helping reduce inflammation and promoting healthy blood flow. 

What does the research say? 

Although interest in red light therapy is growing, the research is still in its early stages. 

What early studies show 

In small scale human trials and case reports2,3,4, some people with Parkinson’s have experienced improvements in movement, balance, and quality of life when combining red light therapy with their daily medication and exercise routines. 

These findings are encouraging, but the studies tend to be short, involve small groups, and use different devices and treatment schedules. This makes it difficult to compare results or draw firm conclusions. 

What we still don’t know 

Across the global research field, several important questions remain: 

  • What is the ideal dose, wavelength, or treatment schedule? 
  • How long do potential benefits last? 
  • Do effects continue after someone stops treatment? 
  • Which symptoms, if any, are most likely to improve? 
  • Do all these devices offer comparable performance, or does their quality vary? 

Canada’s contribution: an emerging area of research 

Canada is often said to “punch above its weight” in Parkinson’s research, and much of the early research about red light therapy is happening here. A recent study conducted across Southwestern Ontario is the largest investigation to date looking at whether red light therapy can help people with Parkinson’s.5 

Participants with moderate Parkinson’s (stages 2 and 3 on the Hoehn & Yahr scale) who were already engaged in regular, structured exercise used either an active red light device or a placebo device. Researchers measured mobility along with other motor symptoms such as balance, mood, thinking, and daily functioning 

What the Ontario study found 

  • During the early phases of the study, there were no significant differences between the active and placebo treatment groups. Both groups improved slightly in their mobility over the same time. 
  • In longer-term follow-up, people who chose to continue using red light therapy reported greater improvements in mobility compared to those who stopped. They also experienced reduced anxiety and improved motor function in their daily life. 
  • Importantly, red light therapy was suggested to be safe, with no serious side effects reported. 

This study suggests that red light therapy, when added to regular exercise and standard medical care, may help improve some Parkinson’s symptoms — especially when used consistently over time. Because it can be done at home, it could be a helpful option for people who have trouble accessing in-person services. At the same time, the study was limited in size and length, and larger, longer-term studies are needed to confirm whether these benefits last. 

What this means for people living with Parkinson’s 

For people navigating Parkinson’s, red light therapy offers cautious optimism. The early research, in Canada and internationally, shows potential, particularly for people looking for home-based options that complement exercise and medication. But there are important considerations before trying it: 

  1. It is not yet part of standard Parkinson’s care. 
    Red light therapy evidence is still emerging, and it should be viewed as experimental. 
  1. Devices vary widely and can be costly. 
    Devices can be very different in quality and strength, and many are expensive. Costs can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, and they’re usually not covered by insurance. 
  1. Talk to your care team. 
    Anyone considering red light therapy should talk with their care team to weigh potential benefits, risks, and costs as part of an informed decision. 
  1. Use it as an add-on, not a replacement. 
    Medication, exercise, and multidisciplinary care remain the most effective ways to manage Parkinson’s symptoms. 

The bottom line 

Red light therapy is a promising but still experimental approach that may help improve certain symptoms in some people with Parkinson’s, especially when used consistently and alongside regular exercise. The Ontario study adds valuable evidence to this growing field, but more research is needed to determine who benefits, how much, and under what conditions. 

For now, people living with Parkinson’s can keep red light therapy on their radar, ask questions, and make informed decisions with their care team while researchers continue working to understand the full picture. 

References

  1. Johnstone, D. M., Moro, C., Stone, J., Benabid, A. L., & Mitrofanis, J. (2016). Turning On Lights to Stop Neurodegeneration: The Potential of Near Infrared Light Therapy in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. Front Neurosci. 9(500). doi: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00500 
  1. Bicknell, B., Saltmarche, A. E., Hares, O., Herkes, G. K. Liebert, A. (2023). Parkinson’s disease and the Interaction of Photobiomodulation, the Microbiome, and Antibiotics: A Case Series A Case Series. Medical Research Archives, [online] 12(1). doi: 10.18103/mra.v12i1.4020 
  1. Liebert, A., Bicknell, B., Laakso, E., Jalilitabaei, P., Tilley, S., Kiat, H., Mitrofanis, J. (2022). Remote Photobiomodulation Treatment for the Clinical Signs of Parkinson’s Disease: A Case Series Conducted During COVID-19. Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery, 40(2), 112-122. doi: 10.1089/photob.2021.0056 
  1. Herkes, G., McGee, C., Liebert, A., Bicknell, B., Isaac, V., Kiat, H., McLachlan, C. S. (2023). A novel transcranial photobiomodulation device to address motor signs of Parkinson’s disease: a parallel randomised feasibility study. EClinicalMedicine, [online] 66. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102338 
  1. Saltmarche, A. E., Hares, O., Bicknell, B., Liebert, A., Naeser, M., Ramachandran, S., Sykes, J., Togeretz, K., Namini, A., Heller, G. Z., & Herkes, G. (2025). Effectiveness of photobiomodulation to treat motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease: A randomised clinical trial with extended treatment. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(21), 7463. doi: 10.3390/jcm14217463