Parkinsons disease: Light at the end of the tunnel for sufferers of Parkinsons symptoms, with new infrared treatment trials – 7NEWS

A new treatment for life-robbing Parkinsons disease is set to be trialled in Sydney following reports of good results using light therapy.

Results from a previous light therapy trial in Adelaide published in the BMC Neurology journal, showed enhanced senses and improved cognition, mood and sleep, mobility, balance, and fine motor skills among patients.

Watch the video above to find out how the new life-changing technology uses waves of light to treat Parkinsons sufferer Margaret Jarrett

The SYMBYX trial conducted with Parkinsons SA, used the light therapy known as photobiomodulation (PBM) on two small groups of patients, all diagnosed with Parkinsons disease.

The study reported no adverse side effects and that the therapy was a safe and potentially effective treatment.

Parkinsons disease is an incurable, progressive neurological illness affecting between 10 and 15 million people worldwide.

Its the worlds fastest growing neurological disease, with symptoms including tremors, muscle rigidity, difficulty walking and swallowing, loss of smell, depression and anxiety.

Caused by a lack of dopamine, a chemical produced by both the brain and the gut to help promote and control body movement, the light therapy treatments work by stimulating dopamine production in the gut.

For 75-year-old Parkinsons sufferer Margaret Jarrett, who has been a participant in medical trials of the infra-red relief, the results have been a welcome relief. She used a laser light device clinically for 12 weeks, and for 40 weeks from home.

I dont know how its happening, but its happening and thats all I care about, she said.

Some people regained their sense of smell, some people have improved sleep, and some people had improved microbiomes. So, improved gut health, Parkinsons SA executive Olivia Nassaris said of the treatment.

Those already suffering with Parkinsons dont need to wait for the trial results, as there are light therapy products from SYMBYX already available on the market.

It is legal and regulated and its available for purchase, Dr Wayne Markman, CEO of SYMBYX an Australian medical technology company told 7NEWS.

Light technology is just the latest in mounting research to support the treatment of Parkinsons disease.

Other studies are looking towards everything from hydrogel to be injected into patients brain, to deadly spider venom to promote cell repair.

The rest is here:
Parkinsons disease: Light at the end of the tunnel for sufferers of Parkinsons symptoms, with new infrared treatment trials - 7NEWS