SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va – An opioid treatment pilot study conducted at Shepherd University has been accepted for publication in the medical journal “Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery.” “Transcranial Photobiomodulation Therapy as an Intervention for Opioid Cravings and Depression: A Pilot Cohort Study” is the first global transcranial study focusing on PBM and opioid use disorder.
The study, co-authored by Drs. Jennifer Flora and Kelly Watson Huffer examines the impact of photobiomodulation (PBM) on “reducing opioid cravings and depressive symptoms among individuals undergoing treatment for opioid addiction.” As part of phase I of the study, participants at the Jefferson County Day Report Center receiving therapy sessions using a SunPowerLED helmet emitting near-infrared light at an 810 nm wavelength twice a week.
Flora and Watson Huffer discussed specifics of the research on Monday’s edition of Panhandle Live.
“We believe, and our study is supporting this, that it can significantly help individuals suffering from opioid use disorder and depression. Specifically, the mechanism behind TBPM involves the emission of that near-infrared light and its wavelength is long enough to penetrate the skull and stimulate brain cells and this stimulation is thought to improve cellular energy production, promoting better brain function and potentially rebalancing the brain’s chemistry that’s disrupted by opioid addiction,” Flora said.
The 50 initial participants were broken into a control group and a research group with the control group receiving traditional therapy methods while the research group had the PBM therapy added to its regimen. According to Huffer, the data shows great results for the use of PBM in a variety of categories.
“The use of the transcranial process for emitting this light reduced all of our setpoints for opioid addiction and that includes initial cravings, the time they spent craving the drugs and intensity of the craving as well,” she said.
Huffer says that while previous studies have shown PBM therapy to be helpful in healing exterior wounds, this study is progress toward utilizing the same technology to better understand and help improve the brain function of people dealing with opioid use disorder.
“It’s very well-documented how treating wounds with PBM therapy can help immensely in the healing process so this is just one more step that we’re looking at a part of the brain that you can’t just open up and look at,” she said, “We’re trying to assess the things that impact people with opioid use disorder and there’s really no good way to open up the brain and say ‘okay, here’s where you need to fix,’ and that’s where the light comes in.”
Shepherd president Mary J.C. Hendrix believes that the work being done as part of this study could have an impact across the country.
“We are delighted that this important study will receive the attention it deserves,” Hendrix said. “Opioid use disorder is a critical concern nationwide, but especially here in West Virginia. I am very proud that researchers at Shepherd University are leading the way with new treatment strategies to help individuals recover.”
Hendrix announced phase II of the study in May and that continuation is already underway involving participants from the Berkeley County Day Report Center.
