This article discusses why Low Level Laser / Photobiomodulation Therapy for Autism and ADHD may be a safe and effective option for children with presenting symptoms. A review carried out by Catherine Hamilton al in 2022, explains the neurological condition of autism and refers to the highly promising clinical study showing effective treatment of autism for children, carried out by Leisman et al (2018) and Macado et al (2019).
The review paper by Hamilton et al (2022) Lights on for Autism: Exploring Photobiomodulation and an Effective Therapeutic Option, gives a clear explanation of the key abnormalities of brain structure and function that trigger behavioural pattens, including an imbalance of functional connectivity and synaptic transmission, neuronal death, gliosis and inflammation. It also highlights the link between autism and gut microbiome. The paper continues to discuss how photobiomodulation therapy using infrared and near infrared light can improve key conditions that characterise autism include the functional connectivity and patterns of neurones, the pattens of gloss and inflammation and the composition of the microbiome. Photobiomodulation therapy tests well for improving gut microbiome.
The image here is included in the paper by Hamilton et al (2022) and shows brain structure positively impacted by photobiomodulation therapy for autism.
In 2018 Leisman et al published a study, Effects of Low Level Laser Therapy in Autism Spectrum Disorder, for the irritability associated with autistic spectrum disorder in children and adolescents aged 5-17 years. 21 of 40 participants received Photobiomodulation Therapy for Autism treatments across a 4 week period while the remaining participants received a sham therapeutic laser treatment (LED). 5 sub scales were identified – irritability/agitation, lethargy/social withdrawal, stereotypic behaviour, hyperactivity/non-compliance and inappropriate speech. The change in irritability sub scale score between test and placebo patients was -15.17 in favour of the test procedure group, which is statistically significant. The study found that photobiomodulation therapy for autism could be an effective tool for reducing irritability ad other symptoms and behaviours associated with autistic spectrum disorder in children and adolescents with positive changes maintained and augmented over time.
A Follow-Up Assessment of Autistic Children 6 Months After Finishing Low Level laser Therapy (Machado et al 2019) demonstrated that improvement in symptoms continued 6 months following the Photobiomodulation Therapy for Autism LLLT procedure described in the previous clinical study.
At Laser Medicine we work with children and adolescents with neurodiversity, including those on the autistic spectrum. Please read more about the Service here.
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