Can pulsing light on the scalp boost brain performance?

NCT ID NCT07752602

First seen Aug 07, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026

Summary

This trial explores whether shining low-level light on the scalp—a technique called transcranial photobiomodulation—can change brain activity and improve fine motor skills like finger tapping. Twenty healthy young adults will receive different light pulse frequencies (continuous, 10 Hz, 40 Hz, 100 Hz) and a sham control, with a week between sessions. Researchers will measure brain excitability using transcranial magnetic stimulation and assess motor speed and dexterity. The goal is to see if specific frequencies have distinct effects on brain function.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
Transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), a non-invasive light therapy applied to the scalp
What this could lead to
If successful, this could help identify optimal light frequencies for enhancing brain function and motor performance, potentially informing future treatments for neurological conditions.
What could go wrong
This is an early-phase, small study in healthy volunteers, so results may not apply to patients. The effects may be subtle or not reproducible, and the therapy's safety and efficacy are not yet established.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre

    Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

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