Who Can Use It
This high-quality In-step LserCane is designed for people suffering from gait problem due to Parkinsons disease. The cane is also useful for those suffering from ALS, stroke or other brain conditions. Even if you dont have any of the above-mentioned illness and simply want to improve your stride length, the In-step lasercane is a good choice for you.
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How Does It Help Parkinsons Patients
Parkinsons disease occurs as a result of the death of certain cells in the brain. These cells produce a chemical called dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter responsible for controlled movement. It is due to the deficiency of dopamine that severely affects the brains ability to send movement signals to different parts of the body, including the legs. As a result, the patients get tired quickly and experience trouble walking. Most often, they stop suddenly whilst trying to step forward, this is called freezing. This sudden freezing can be hazardous for patients as it can make them fall and cause serious injuries.
The basic science behind the In-step LaserCane is the projection of visual cue in the form of a laser beam light, which sends a message to the brain to allow the leg to move forward.The laser line automatically projects right in front of the leg as soon as the cane comes in contact with the ground. This bright laser line serves as a safe, obstacle-free visual cue, which prevents falling and help Parkinsons patient to begin the step by stepping over the line. The laser line disappears when the cane is lifted and reappears when it touches the ground again for another step thus allows the patient to step after step and restore the normal walk.
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Light Therapy And Parkinsons Disease
Light therapy, or the use of light as a treatment for disease, is being investigated in many neurologic conditions including as a treatment for some of the symptoms of Parkinsons disease . Light therapy encompasses a large category of treatments involving different types of light and delivery systems. More research still needs to be done to figure out exactly what type of light therapy works for which symptoms of PD.
To better understand what we do and do not know about light therapy for PD, this week I will explore:
- What are the variables to consider when thinking about light therapy?
- Which symptoms of PD may experience relief with light therapy?
- Are there any currently available devices for light therapy to treat PD symptoms?
- What clinical trial data supports the use of light therapy in PD?
- Are there current light therapy clinical trials that are enrolling people with PD?
- Why might light therapy be helpful in PD?
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Light Therapy And Parkinsons
NIr therapy works by using infrared illumination to treat brain tissue affected by a lack of oxygen, toxic environments, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria help to produce energy in cells and play a role in regulating cell function when working properly. NIr attempts to reduce cell damage and death by protecting the dopamine-producing neurons.2 NIr has been shown to reduce tissue inflammation and improve mitochondrial function.
It is not a targeted therapy because it works on the neural symptoms of many conditions by reducing the neurodegenerative process. Light therapy targets the brain and therefore it is likely to impact multiple facets of neural functioning. Studies have yielded results that show improvement in cognitive, emotional, and executive function.
Photobiomodulation is the ability of light to modulate biological processes at a cellular level.4 The use of controlled exposure of red to infrared wavelengths of light have successfully improved healing, reduced inflammation and pain. It has done this by improving mitochondrial function and stimulating antioxidant pathways in the brain. Photobiomodualtion has been therapeutically effective to improve the recovery rate for other medical conditions, and has shown promise in the lab for people and animals with PD.
Strategic use of specific light applied at a targeted time of day for a specific length of time should be able to attack melatonin, and reduce it, thus restoring dopamine balance.5
Unlocking Lifes Full Potential
Parkinsons symptoms vary from individual to individual as it is an extremely heterogeneous disease affecting everyone differently.By implementing SYMBYXs treatment protocols, our flexible PDCare hand-held device is used to treat the gut, wide-ranging positive changes are being recorded by patients. Such changes include motor improvements, better sleep, lightened mood, reduced muscle pain and even returned sense of smell.
How is this even possible!?
The PDCare Laser therapy increases gut fermentation of dietary fibre, which in turn facilitates the production of helpful gut metabolites .SCFAs are important for manufacturing the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin that are in short supply in a Parkinsons patient . In essence, the gut takes on an even greater load and compensates for the reduction of dopamine production in the brain.
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How Is The Light Being Delivered
In studies using white light, the eyes are used to detect the light. The light is therefore delivered via a lightbox or a screen.
Near Infrared Light is not in the wavelength range that is detectable by eye. It is thought that to be used as a therapy, it needs to be delivered more directly to brain tissue. Therefore, other delivery methods have been devised.
Additional delivery methods include:
- Via a helmet containing light sources that is worn on the head the light is meant to penetrate through the skin and skull
- Via a light-emitting device that is implanted in the brain
What is the brightness of the light?Many clinical trials for light therapy used Lux levels in the 10,000 range. Light brightness per area is measured in Lux. A moonless night would register 0.0001 Lux. A very dark overcast day would register 100 Lux. Full daylight would register 10,000 Lux.
What is the length of a session of light therapy?
For light therapy to be feasible to incorporate into a persons day, a practical amount of time spent in front of the light needs to be selected. Past trials have used times ranging from 30 min to 1.5 hours a day.
How many sessions of light therapy are given?
Variables to consider here include how often would the therapy need to be given during the day ? How many times a week? For how many weeks? Does the treatment need to be ongoing or do the effects of the treatment last after the treatments are stopped?
What time of day is the therapy given?
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How Were Speeding Up The Search For A Cure
We believe that new and better treatments are possible in years, not decades. We have a clear strategy for making this happen. This includes:
- backing the best and brightest minds to unlock scientific discoveries that will lead to new treatments and a cure
- accelerating the development and testing of new treatments through our Virtual Biotech
- collaborating internationally to make clinical trials faster, cheaper and more likely to succeed through the Critical Path for Parkinsons
What Does It Do
This laser light accessory provides visual and auditory cues, providing something to focus on that would naturally initiate the ability to walk again. It isnt uncommon for those with PD to suffer from reoccurring freezing episodes, theyre random at best and theres no real warning for when theyll come on. When the laser light accessory is attached, there are buttons near the handle to initiate the laser, after ten minutes of idle use, the laser will turn off automatically.
The theory behind these laser mechanisms is that the visible cue of the laser will bypass anything the brain might be telling the legs, resulting in the ability to walk towards the light. In some cases, it might not always work as there is no treatment for these freezing episodes, but it does help initiate the process of walking again.
While its very possible to simply just tape some laser pointers to your walker, we recommend using the actual product as it has better programming and is more functional to those with disabilities. Although, keeping a pocket laser here and there definitely couldnt hurt!
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Ethics Approval And Consent To Participate
The study received human research ethics approval by the Griffith University Human Research Ethics Committee . All participants gave written informed consent prior to taking part in the study. All protocols were approved by the Griffith University Human Research Ethics Committee and were conducted in accordance with their regulations and guidelines.
Consent for publication.
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Unlocking Life’s Full Potential
Parkinsons symptoms vary from individual to individual as it is an extremely heterogeneous disease affecting everyone differently.By implementing SYMBYXs treatment protocols, our flexible PDCare hand-held device is used to treat the gut, wide-ranging positive changes are being recorded by patients. Such changes include motor improvements, better sleep, lightened mood, reduced muscle pain and even returned sense of smell.
How is this even possible!?
The PDCare Laser therapy increases gut fermentation of dietary fibre, which in turn facilitates the production of helpful gut metabolites .SCFAs are important for manufacturing the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin that are in short supply in a Parkinsons patient . In essence, the gut takes on an even greater load and compensates for the reduction of dopamine production in the brain.
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How To Use The Pdcare Laser
Apply the laser to clean, dry skin 3 times a week for ~20 minutes across the gut area as shown in the photo.For laser therapy to be effective in reducing Parkinsons symptoms, the usage parameters*, must be just right, or like Goldilocks. Trust the science backed laser company and team at SYMBYX in your Parkinsons journey.
*Parameters like the precise wavelength, laser power, pulse parameters, energy density, total joules emitted, body location and frequency of treatment
Clients Feedback Pd Symptoms With Pdcare Laser Therapy
Pete
South Island of New Zealand
The very first thing I noticed was that certain smells I hadn’t smelt in a very long time had returned.Not completely but definitely enough to enjoy them.The next thing I found very encouraging was a reduction in my general brain fog – it’s hard to explain but I absolutely feel mentally sharper
Kevin
Sydney, Australia
“Hi my name is Kevin and I am a 49 year old father of four teenagers who lives in Sydney. I was diagnosed with Parkinsons in 2014. In addition to living a healthy lifestyle, eating well, exercising regularly and taking my medications, I have become a regular user of the PDCare Laser.I feel like PDCare has slowed both my cognitive and physical decline considerably without any noticeable negative side-effects. My medications also appear to be more effective.”
Wife of husband living with PD, Victoria
It’s been 5-weeks since Rob, my husband, started using SYMBYX’s PDCare. We’ve found it very easy and non-invasive, particularly during the Covid-19 lockdown. It’s now part of our morning routine. I have noticed a significant turn-around in Robs general apathy from prior to starting the treatment. He can now do what is asked of him much more easily. He uses more initiative around the house, and has gone back to listening to his favourite music. His voice is stronger and he is sturdier on his feet when he exercises.
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Circadian System A Novel Diagnostic And Therapeutic Target In Parkinsons Disease
Our research then led us to discover that many, many workers have found similar positive results, and continue to do so. Even the benefits of strategic light therapy simply for improving sleep which is typically chronically disrupted in people with PD should not be understated. This because it is during periods of good sleep when the brain clears itself of waste products and the body repairs itself. Therefore for people who are already neuro-compromised, broken sleep and the resulting build of toxins in the brain is a fast track to a vicious circle of further degeneration.
Here, I am trying to keep an up-to-date list of articles on the science of all this:
Protocol For Randomized Controlled Trial To Evaluate The Safety And Feasibility Of A Novel Helmet To Deliver Transcranial Light Emitting Diodes Photobiomodulation Therapy To Patients With Parkinsons Disease
- 1Faculty of Health Sciences, Torrens University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- 2School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- 3Department of Research and Governance, San Hospital, Wahroonga, NSW, Australia
- 4NICM Health Research Institute, University of Western Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- 5Department of Neurology, San Hospital, Wahroonga, NSW, Australia
- 6Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- 7Centre for Healthy Futures, Torrens University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- 8Faculty of Medicine, Human and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- 9College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- 10Cardiac Health Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Introduction: Parkinsons disease is the second most common, progressive, and debilitating neurodegenerative disease associated with aging and the most common movement disorder. Photobiomodulation , the use of non-thermal light for therapeutic purposes using laser or light emitting diodes is an emerging non-invasive treatment for a diverse range of neurological conditions. The main objectives of this clinical trial are to investigate the feasibility, safety, tolerability, and efficacy of a novel transcranial LED helmet device in the alleviation of symptoms of PD.
Clinical Trial Registration: , identifier .
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What Is Parkinsons Disease
It can be defined as a progressive neurological disorder in which brain cells weaken or die. Parkinsons disease occurs due to death/impairment of neurons in the brain that produce dopamine , however it is still unknown why these cells die.
Classic symptoms of Parkinsons disease include negative changes in the behaviour and movement of an individual: symptoms are negligible at first and increase gradually. With the passage of time walking and speech are negatively affected along with other possible symptoms.
Men are more susceptible to Parkinsons disease than women, however women can also be affected. Majority of the time age is the highest risk factor of Parkinsons disease, symptoms of most patients tend to develop around 60, however a minority experienced symptoms before the age of 50.
Treatment can help in providing relief from symptoms, however it can never be fully cured. Medication is normally the first line treatment of Parkinsons disease. Alternative treatment for Parkinsons include surgery and therapies such as physiotherapy and laser therapy.
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Parkinsons Disease Treatment: What To Expect
Our goals are aligned with yours: the best possible Parkinsons disease symptom control with the least amount of disruption to your life.
As a patient of the Neuromodulation and Advanced Treatments Center, you start with a multi-disciplinary evaluation by our specialists in neurosurgery, neurology, neuropsychology, and psychiatry. Together, they discuss the individual aspects of how Parkinsons disease is affecting you, and apply a personalized medicine approach to designing your treatment.
As we learn about you and the impact of Parkinsons on your quality of life, we ensure that you and your family or care partner gain a realistic insight into what various treatments can and cannot do, along with honest expertise to support your decisions.
Your treatment plan may include the following:
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Could Light Hold The Key To Help Manage Parkinsons Symptoms Or Even Have A Protective Effect On Brain Cells This Blog Explores The Research Evidence And What The Future Might Hold
Light has a huge impact on life from sustaining the plants we eat to allowing us to see, everyone of us is dependent on the power of light.
The power of light has been investigated in many conditions, and although it is still very much an experimental technique, there is research to suggest that light therapy can have protective and restorative properties. There is also evidence that light can alter our sleep, mood and behaviour.
So why is light relevant to Parkinsons?In Parkinsons it is the loss of dopamine producing brain cells that cause both movement symptoms and other symptoms known as non-motor symptoms such as problems sleeping, depression, and loss of motivation.
Research is being done to look at whether treatment using light could offer protection to struggling brain cells to potentially slow down the progression of Parkinsons. And research is also looking into how light, in various forms, could be used to directly manage the symptoms of Parkinsons.
This is a fascinating topic as researchers try to unpick why cells that sit in the middle of the brain, in complete darkness could be protected, or even healed, by light. How do cells in the eye signal to the deepest parts of the brain? Or is it that light is being absorbed by specific components in cells activating and providing energy for the body to promote brain cell survival, protection or regeneration?
Lets explore some of the ways light is being looked at with regard to Parkinsons research.
Near Infrared Chronic Intracranial Illumination For Neuroprotection In Parkinsons Disease
Objective/Rationale: The treatment of Parkinsons Disease is based on medication and on surgical procedures. These therapies alleviate symptoms but do not change the evolution of the disease, which is a progressive degeneration of the neurons producing dopamine in the brain. This degeneration is in part due to an abnormal functioning of the mitochondrias that produce energy in these neurons. There is evidence that infrared light can counteract this mitochondrial dysfunction.
Project Description: We will develop a prototype to deliver continuously into patients brains infrared light to slow down the loss of these dopaminergic neurons by improving their mitochondrial function. Human application requires checking the safety of the invented devices in laboratory pre-clinical models. An implantable prototype is being assembled from parts already made by industrial companies for deep brain stimulation. It will be implanted in models to check the safety of the surgical procedure and the long term tolerance of this device. The proof of principle of the therapeutic effect also has to be made. We will implant the device in models rendered parkinsonian by administration of the neurotoxin MPTP and observe the evolution of this parkinsonian syndrome under the effect of this intracranial illumination.
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