Examining the Differential Effects of Photobiomodulation on Sleep and Performance

The objective of this research study is to assess how the implementation of photobiomodulation affects sleep quality, sleep structure, nocturnal physiology, subjective wellness, recovery from stressors, and resultant effects on performance and well-being.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Sleep Quality
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Photobiomodulation (PBM)

Detailed Description

Photobiomodulation (PBM) is light therapy in both the visible and near-infrared range (non-UV). This light is absorbed through the skin and functions at the cellular level, providing a lowering of inflammation and oxidative stress. By provoking these photochemical changes, previous research indicates that PBM can provide both physical (e.g. pain reduction, strength enhancement) and cognitive benefits (e.g. increased memory extinction, improved cortical oxygen consumption). PBM is effective both preceding and succeeding functional tests, proving its ability to provide a preventative and rehabilitative impact on the functionality of cells and tissues. Metabolic changes to the cerebral cortex and the muscular system combine with anti-inflammatory and protective capabilities to augment recovery from physiological stressors. A plurality of literature reports light therapy given solely to specific body regions. However, partial body treatment may limit the comprehensive and systematic response to PBM treatment. Consequently, recent developments from commercial companies, such as NovoTHOR, have generated a consumer market for whole-body PBM. Yet, the physiological responses to these treatment modalities, as well as their effects on health and well-being is not fully understood.

Participants will undergo a four week block of baseline data collection, which involves nightly sleep monitoring, as well as daily, weekly, and monthly surveys and assessments. Following the baseline block, participants will complete a four week intervention block completing 3 PBM sessions per week. PBM sessions will be completed using the NovoThor light bed and will last 20 minutes in duration. Daily, weekly, and monthly monitoring and tasks will continue throughout this block.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 16
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • West Virginia
    • Morgantown, West Virginia, United States, 26505
      • Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute at West Virginia University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 50 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female 18-50 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

• Has a head diameter outside the range of 20.8-24 inches, or an approved head-mounted EEG device doesn't otherwise fit properly
• Exceeds 290 pounds in body weight
• Has photophobia (light sensitivity)
• Has epilepsy or is prone to seizures
• Has thyroid problems or has been medicated for thyroid issues
• Has a current lower body musculoskeletal injury
• Has a current injury requiring an irremovable cast
• Is pregnant or actively trying to become pregnant
• Has a known or diagnosed sleep disorder
• Females who have become menopausal or are exhibiting signs or symptoms of becoming perimenopausal
• Females who are unable to identify when their monthly menstrual period will occur
• Individuals who work during the night shift or have significantly abnormal sleep schedule
• Has undergone travel across more than two collective time zones in the last two weeks
• Individuals who intend to have any significant medical procedures scheduled to occur within 12 weeks of enrollment
• Individuals who have intentions, or have discussed with their doctor, about adding or making any alterations to their prescribed medications within 12 weeks of enrollment
• Individuals who have any travel plans or other obligations within 12 weeks of enrollment that would prevent them from completing study requirements and attending required laboratory visits
• Individuals who intend to make significant alterations to their sleeping patterns within 12 weeks of enrollment. This may include, but is not limited to, changes such as moving, getting a new mattress, having someone move in with them, etc.

• Does not meet the ACSM's guidelines for exercise prescription. This is defined as:

  1. Presenting with an absolute contraindication OR

     1. Has a known cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, metabolic disease, or other chronic illness
     2. Presents with symptoms indicating cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, or metabolic disease
  2. presenting with two or more relative contraindications

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Experimental: Photobiomodulation (PBM); Participants will utilize the NovoTHOR whole body light pod

Other: Photobiomodulation (PBM); Photobiomodulation (PBM) is light therapy in both the visible and near-infrared range (non-UV). This light is absorbed through the skin and functions at the cellular level, providing a lowering of inflammation and oxidative stress. Participants will undergo 20 minute sessions three times a week for 4 weeks using the NovoTHOR as the only intervention.; Other Names: NovoTHOR Whole Body Light Bed

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Nocturnal Heart Rate as measured by OURA Ring	Heart rate (beats per minute) will be quantified throughout the night via the OURA ring.	Daily from baseline through study completion at 8 weeks
Change in Nocturnal Heart Rate Variability as measured by OURA Ring	Heart rate variability will be quantified throughout the night via the OURA ring.	Daily from baseline through study completion at 8 weeks
Changes in Perceived Stress as measured via PSS	Participants' perceived stress will be quantified via the previously validated Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), which asks participants to report on the frequency of various experiences (0, never; 4, very often) and final scoring suggests lower scores to be associated with lower levels of stress.	Weekly from baseline through study completion at 8 weeks
Changes in Subjective Sleep as measured via PSQI	Participant's subjective reports of sleep quality will be quantified through the previously validated Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Questions are scored into multiple components to determine sleep difficulty in various areas, where higher scores are indicative of greater sleep difficulties; these scores will be compared across timepoints.	Monthly from baseline through study completion at 8 weeks
Changes in Subjective Anxiety as measured via the STAI	Participants will complete the previously validated State Trait Anxiety Index (STAI) as a measure of subjective anxiety, where higher scores are suggestive of greater anxiety.	Monthly from baseline through study completion at 8 weeks
Change in Subjective Sleep Quality	A custom daily morning questionnaire will be used to record how a participant feels the quality of their sleep was the previous night (e.g. 1, very poor; 10 excellent). This questionnaire will be taken on the participants smartphone within 30 minutes of waking.	Daily from baseline through study completion at 8 weeks
Change in Subjective Epworth Sleepiness Scale measured via questionnaire	Participants will complete previously validated questionnaires as often as weekly. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) - eight-item questionnaire assessing sleep behaviors on a scale of 0 to 3. Higher scores = increased average sleep propensity in daily life	Weekly throughout study completion at 8 weeks
Subjective Success of PBM assessed via Survey	Following completion of the study, a custom questionnaire will record how successful the participant believes PBM was in improving their sleep and well being.	Once at the end of week 8
Change in Eriksen Flanker Task	The Flanker Task is a response inhibition test used to assess the participant's ability to suppress a response that is inappropriate based on the task rules. Participants are to respond, left or right, to the direction of the middle arrow (target arrow) of five aligned items. The task consists of congruent stimulus (the direction of the target arrow and flanker arrows are the same), incongruent stimulus (the direction of the target arrow is opposite of the flanker arrows), and neutral stimulus (flanker items are different then the target arrow). The dependent variable is the measurement of reaction time to select the direction of the target arrow.	Changes from baseline versus end of study week 8
Change in Psychomotor Vigilance Task	A reaction time test that measures a person's sustained attention to a cue presented on a screen at random inter-stimulus intervals. In addition to the measures of reaction time to correct responses the errors of commission (responding when there is not response cue) and omission (failing to respond to a response cue).	Changes from baseline versus end of study week 8

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Subjective Restorative Sleep Questionnaire	Participants will complete previously validated questionnaires as often as weekly. Restorative Sleep Questionnaire (RSQ) - nine-item questionnaire assessing sleep behaviors on a scale of 0 to 5. Higher scores = better sleep	Weekly throughout study completion at 8 weeks
Changes in Sleep Disturbances as measured via the Sleep Disorders Questionnaire	Participants will complete a 34 item checklist that has been previously used for screening of a potential sleep disorder; the more items that the participant feels applies to them, the higher the likelihood of the individual having a sleep disorder.	Monthly from baseline through study completion at 8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: West Virginia University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 25, 2021
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 1, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): July 20, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 29, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 10, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): November 11, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 22, 2025
• Last Verified: April 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Sleep; Photobiomodulation; Wearable Technology
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2104299326

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No