Light flicker therapy aims to sharpen aging brains
NCT ID NCT07395609
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 28, 2026 · Updated 8 times
Summary
This study tests whether three months of flicker stimulation (using near-infrared light or visual occlusion glasses) can improve thinking, movement, and mood in healthy older adults and those with subjective cognitive decline. Sixty participants aged 65-89 will be assigned to different stimulation groups. Researchers will measure changes in cognition, grip strength, walking speed, balance, and brain structure using MRI and blood tests.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Flicker stimulation (near-infrared light and visual occlusion glasses)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a non-invasive way to slow age-related brain changes and improve daily function in older adults.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage study with only 60 participants, so results may not apply widely. The intervention is experimental and may not produce meaningful benefits.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
About 60 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Aug 2026
- Expected to finish
-
Oct 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
65 to 89 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria * Community dwelling men and women 65-89 years old * Ability to walk unassisted for 10 min * English speaking Additional Inclusion Criteria for SCD * No evidence of dementia or MCI based on cognitive screening (i.e., Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score within normal limits for age, education, and sex using the NACC Uniform Data Set (UDS) norms * Global Clinic Dementia Rating (CDR) score must be 0 or 0.531 * Subjective report of cognitive complaints with scores \>20 on the Cognitive Change Index (CCI-20), a validated scale of subjective cognitive decline6; this scale consists of 20 items that are rated on a 5-point Likert scale, where 1= "Normal: No change compared to 5 years ago", 3= "Mild Problem: Some change compared to 5 years ago) and 5="Severe Problem: Much worse compared to 5 years ago" * Family history of dementia/probable AD in first degree relative (parents, children, siblings) * Normal functional behavior in terms of daily activities, based on the Functional Activities Scale In line with recommendations of the SCD task force an informant must be available for two reasons: a) to provide information about the participant's cognition using the informant version of the CDR and CCI-20, and b) to corroborate normal IADL's on the Functional Activity Questionnaire (informant data will be collected via a phone call and linked by code with the participant data). Exclusion criteria * If participants score less than 21 on the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS) * Significant medical event requiring hospitalization in the past 6 months that has the potential to contaminate data being collected (fracture, hospitalization etc.) * Severe visual impairment or corrected visual acuity less than 20/40 (as per self-report), which would preclude completion of assessments * Inability to undergo MRI brain imaging due to claustrophobia or implants such as pacemakers, heart valves, brain aneurysm clips, orthodontics, certain non-removable body jewelry, or shrapnel containing ferromagnetic metal * History of severe stroke * Epilepsy or family history of epilepsy, past seizure history, as well as history of migraines * Current use of psychotropic medications * Any major ADL disability (unable to feed, dress, bath, use the toilet, or transfer) * Report of lower extremity pain due to osteoarthritis that significantly limits mobility * Diagnosis or treatment for rheumatoid arthritis * Known neuromuscular disorder or overt neurological disease (e.g., Multiple Sclerosis, Rhabdomyolysis, Myasthenia Gravis, Ataxia, Apraxia, post-polio syndrome, mitochondrial myopathy, Parkinson's Disease, ALS etc.) * Unable to communicate because of severe hearing loss or speech disorder * Planned surgical procedure or hospitalization in the next 4 months (joint replacement, coronary artery bypass graft, etc.) * Severe pulmonary disease, requiring the use of supplemental oxygen * Severe cardiac disease, including NYHA Class III or IV congestive heart failure, clinically significant aortic stenosis, recent history of cardiac arrest, use of a cardiac defibrillator, or uncontrolled angina * Use of walker or wheelchair
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Healthy subjects are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Florida
RECRUITINGGainesville, Florida, 32611, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a 14-Week group program help older adults cope with memory worries?
- Can a simple reaching exercise strengthen ankles and cut injury risk?
- Urine chemistry may hold key to safer dosing for brain drug
- Could a skin patch replace IV sedation? early test in healthy adults
- Can a common amino acid help your body build more protein?
- Can a group program ease the burden of memory worries in older age?