Blue Light Therapy Reduces Symptoms in Patients Who Suffer a Concussion
A new treatment for mild cases of traumatic brain injury such as concussion using blue light may result in improvement in concentration, depression, and sleep issues. The American Academy of Neurology recently reported the results of a study conducted using 35 subjects who had suffered a concussion in the past 18 months. The study results, although released preliminarily, are expected to be presented at the academy’s annual meeting in Canada, which is being held from April 15 until May 1, 2020. The average age of the study subjects was 26.
Blue Light Therapy Study
Cognitive issues and other symptoms such as sleep problems and depression following concussions are common. Dr. William D. Killgore, the author of the study, stated that exposing the patient to blue light helps improve the sleep-wake cycle. This, in turn, leads to better alertness during the day, an improved mood, and more restful sleep. Participants were in the study for six weeks and exposed for half an hour daily to bright light. Seventeen of the patients were subjected to blue light therapy, while 18 were exposed to amber light as the placebo. At the study’s beginning and when it concluded, they were given tests to measure concussion symptoms. These included concentration, memory, fatigue, headache, and sleep problems.
Results of the Traumatic Brain Injury Study
Even though the study did not use many subjects, patients who reported depression after suffering a concussion within the last 18 months and were exposed to blue light therapy showed significant improvement in depressive symptoms. The people under blue light therapy showed a 22 percent improvement, compared to the amber light group, which showed 4 percent with worse depression. In addition to improving symptoms of depression, the study showed improvement in fatigue, sleep problems, restlessness, irritability, and concentration caused by concussions. The placebo group (amber) showed none. Dr. Killgore said that improving symptoms of depression by using an alternative treatment to drugs could improve the quality of life for TBI sufferers, both physically and mentally.
A Seasoned Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
While many people recover after a period of time from a concussion, others are left with lingering symptoms that can affect their quality of life. Chief among these symptoms is depression. An experienced lawyer can get the compensation they deserve to pay for their lost time at work, medical costs, and to reimburse them for their pain and suffering. Our investigators go directly to the accident site to find evidence that supports our client’s claim for personal injury damages. They talk to witnesses and review the police report to ensure its accuracy. If it is a motor vehicle accident, they look for traffic and business surveillance cameras that may have filmed the collision. They perform accident reconstruction to determine the sequence of the events leading to the crash and look for evidence of poor road maintenance that might have caused it. After all the evidence has been gathered, it is given over to our lawyers. They compile this important evidence into a strong case for our client, which can be used either in negotiations with the insurance company or to present a case in civil court. Personal injury lawyers do not get paid until the case has been won, so there is no added financial cost to our clients. Our goal is to support our client’s rights.
Sacramento Brain Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento brain injury lawyer. Concussions can cause serious injuries that affect a person both physically and mentally. If you suffered a concussion as a result of a traffic or other accident that wasn’t your fault, I have free and friendly advice to offer you. Please contact me at (916) 921-6400 or long-distance on my free line at (800) 404-5400. You can also message me by completing the short, online form.
I am honored to be a member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and the Million Dollar Forum.
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Since 1982, I’ve helped many people who have suffered injuries in all types of traffic accidents and wrongful deaths, as well as traumatic injuries.
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