Explore the Research Results

Discover the studies, clinical findings, and scientific evidence behind cognitive performance, reaction time, recovery, and athletic excellence.

1 - Cognitive Performance & Executive Function

Salehpour et al. (2019) — Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis

“Transcranial Photobiomodulation Improves Cognitive Performance in Young Healthy Adults” Found significant improvements in cognition-related outcomes in healthy adults. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31549906/

Can transcranial photobiomodulation improve cognitive function? (2023) — Systematic Review. Review of human studies showing improvements in attention, memory, and executive function after tPBM.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1568163722002288

Chaudhari et al. (2023) — Repeated tPBM Improves Psychomotor Vigilance. Demonstrated improved psychomotor vigilance and EEG network changes after repeated LED-based tPBM sessions. Relevant for reaction time and mental fatigue in athletes.‍ ‍https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/10/9/1043

Showed measurable changes in EEG rhythms after prefrontal tPBM, suggesting altered cortical activation and alertness states. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-97987-w

He et al. (2025) — EEG Dynamic Microstate Patterns Found pulsed-wave tPBM improved brain network efficiency and connectivity markers associated with cognition. https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.21265

2 - Brain activity, Alertness & Neurophysiology

Wang et al. (2021) — EEG Alpha/Beta Power Changes.

Narrative review specifically focused on athletes and sports medicine. Reported preliminary evidence for:

  • improved attention and decision-making,

  • enhanced motor performance,

  • reduced neuroinflammation,

  • improved recovery and injury prevention potential.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/25785478261429308

3 - Sports Medicine & Athletic Performance

Iravani et al. (2026) — Transcranial Photobiomodulation in Sports Medicine

4 - Concussion, Repetitive Head Impacts & Neuroprotection

Liebel et al. (2025) — Repetitive Head Acceleration Events.

Investigated transcranial + intranasal PBM after repetitive head acceleration exposure. Reported improvements in cognitive function measures. Relevant for contact sports. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/15578550251361751

Lee et al. (2025) — Mild Traumatic Brain Injury / Post-Concussion Randomized controlled trial showing improvements in cognitive and post-concussion symptoms after tPBM. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40485299

NIR-II Brain Safety & Protection Study (2024) demonstrated safety and potential neuroprotective effects of near-infrared transcranial stimulation, including reduced neuronal injury biomarkers.‍ ‍https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.09922

5 - Mechanistic / Physiological Studies

Bio-Heat Transfer and Monte Carlo Measurement Study (2022)

Demonstrated that near-infrared light can penetrate through the skull and reach cortical tissue while remaining thermally safe under studied parameters. https://arxiv.org/abs/2212.03946