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Infrared Light Therapy for Stress in Epilepsy

This study is looking into whether infrared light therapy, called transcranial photobiomodulation, can help reduce stress in people with epilepsy. This therapy shines low-level infrared light through the scalp to energize cells in the brain, which may help with brain-related conditions. The study aims to see if this treatment can lower your stress levels. You may be able to join if you are over 18, have a medical diagnosis of epilepsy with at least one seizure in the past six months, and agree to maintain or reduce your current medication as advised by your doctor. The study plans to enroll 80 participants, but its current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study planning to enroll 80 participants. The study will examine the subjective level of stress from the start of the study, after the intervention, and at a 6-month follow-up.
What's involved
You would participate for about 3-4 months, attending 30-minute sessions three times a week for 15 weeks. You will also have intake, baseline, and post-treatment visits.
Compensation
You will receive extensive metabolic testing and an Oura ring for your participation.
Follow-up
Your stress levels will be measured at the start of the study, after the treatment, and again at a 6-month follow-up.

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NCT07509177

An Examination of Whether Infrared Light Therapy Can Reduce Stress in People With Epilepsy

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
Cynthia Kerson
~80 participants
Updated 2026-04-23 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Photobiomodulation

At a glance

Recruiting sites
4 of 4 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Subjective level of stress
Measured over Start to post-intervention to 6-month follow-up

Conditions

Epilepsy

Explore related trials

Seizure Disorder

Where it's being run

4 sites across 3 states
Ohio2
Florida1
Texas1

Study leadership

  • Cynthia Kerson, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Saybrook University

Who to contact

Cynthia Kerson, PhD
[email protected]
415-515-3243
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

• \>18 YO
Epilepsy - medical diagnosis with at least one seizure within the past 6 months: diagnosis to be obtained from medical records from the treating physician by signature of HIPAA-compliant medical release form
Agreement to maintain or reduce medication regimen (based upon prescribers' advice)
Available for intake, baseline, post-treatment, 6-month follow-up assessments, and 45 sessions of PBM
Willingness to wear an Õura ring at all times (except for charging) for the duration of the study.
\< 17 YO
Substance use
Personality disorders
Heavy metal toxicity
Mold toxicity
Metabolic measures thresholded based on participant type
Increase in current medication (dosage and/or type)
No new medications prescribed (reduction as prescribed by prescribing physician OK)
Current brain bleed
Acute TBI within the last 12 months
History of neuromodulation, including ECT
Brain implants/pumps/shunts
History of brain surgery
Hormone replacement therapy for menopause or gender transition
Untreated sleep disorders

What this trial measures

  • Subjective level of stressStart to post-intervention to 6-month follow-up

    This study will look at how perceived stress can be moderated with 45 20-minute photobiomodulation sessions and how this affects seizure duration, intensity, and frequency in people with epilepsy, with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and a post score 20% improved from the pre-test score.