Can a light bulb heal the brain? VA tests LED therapy for vets
NCT ID NCT02404402
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This small study tested whether shining special LED lights on the head could help veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and PTSD think more clearly and feel better. Eight veterans received the noninvasive light treatment, and researchers measured changes in memory, attention, mood, and sleep. The goal was to see if this simple approach could ease symptoms and improve daily life.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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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
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8 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2015
- Finished
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Jun 2025
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a US federal agency other than the NIH.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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21 to 55 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion Criteria: * OEF/OIF active-duty personnel or Veterans with history of TBI or blast-exposure * Meets criteria for mild TBI * LOC of 30 min or less * Age: 21-55 * Primary language is English Exclusion Criteria: * Evidence of penetrating head injury * History of previous neurological diagnosis * History of previous psychotic disorder prior to TBI * Hearing or vision impairment
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus, Jamaica Plain, MA
Boston, Massachusetts, 02130-4817, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a web program rebuild memory after brain injury?
- Can a Two-Day couples retreat ease PTSD?
- Why a simple fall can cause brain bleeding in older adults
- Bedside ultrasound could flag hidden brain injury decline
- Can community health workers help trauma survivors heal?
- Zapping the brain to restore lost vision