In May 2016, I began researching how cold lasers/low level laser therapy (LLLT) could help children with special needs. My daughter, Presley, would turn 5 the following month and like many parents, I wanted to ensure we were doing all that we could to help her reach her full potential as well as assist her body to function optimally.
Children with Down syndrome and other types of special needs are challenged with a variety of issues. All kids are different, but there are multiple commonalities they can share to include, but not limited to:
delayed fine and gross motor development
decreased vision, strabismus (cross eyed), amblyopia (lazy eye)
mitochondrial dysfunction, low ATP production
altered sleep patterns, sleep apnea
decreased social interaction and/or eye contact
apraxia or delayed speech and communication
compromised immune system
In this post, I will provide the information I have found to support the use of cold laser and address some of these issues, as well as our positive experience using the laser. I will attempt to keep it easy to understand, and I will keep the source visible so you can see these are reputable studies and read further if you desire. There is also an abundance of personal testimonies using the laser for many other issues available throughout the web.
First, what is low level light therapy (LLLT)? LLLT involves exposing cells or tissue to low levels of red and near infrared (NIR) light, and is referred to as “low level” because of its use of light at energy densities that are low compared to other forms of laser therapy that are used for ablation, cutting, and thermally coagulating tissue. LLLT is also known as “cold laser” therapy as the power densities used are lower than those needed to produce heating of tissue. It was originally believed that LLLT or photobiomodulation required the use of coherent laser light, but more recently, light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been proposed as a cheaper alternative. LLLT has now developed into a therapeutic procedure that is used in three main ways: to reduce inflammation, edema, and chronic joint disorders; to promote healing of wounds, deeper tissues, and nerves; and to treat neurological disorders and pain. Within the cell, there is strong evidence to suggest that LLLT acts on the mitochondria to increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, modulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the induction of transcription factors. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3288797/ )
We purchased our laser in June 2016 and are using this laser from QRI which addresses using the laser for reflex integration. Many of our children, as well as most of us, have unintegrated reflexes. Using this laser has made integration easy with reproducible results. Many occupational therapists have been trained in reflex integration and utilize the laser specifically for this. The owner, Bonnie Brandes, was trained in MNRI. Reflex integration is extremely important with our children with different needs as typical development is delayed, therefore so is typical reflex integration. Here is an article explaining reflex profiles specific to Down syndrome. You can learn more detailed information about reflex integration from Bonnie’s book called The Symphony of Reflexes found here on amazon.
What makes this laser different? The QRI Harmonic is the only laser that combines the CMT sound frequencies with low level laser, this distinguishes the Harmonic from other lasers. Two low level laser heads are included, the main unit and an attachment. This allows you to complete each reflex integration protocol in one-half of the time and create a synergistic connection between accu-reflex points and primitive reflex patterns. The CMT encompasses the entire spectrum of frequencies that sweep through the laser diodes and through an adjustable sound system. Low level lasers work at a cellular level for Cold laser has shown to be effective for numerous conditions without side effects in over 8,000 research studies. The QRI Harmonic is practical for both professional and home use. Each head has:
- 2 5mw red laser diodes 650nm
- 2 5mw violet laser diodes 405nm
- 1 5mw infrared laser diodes 780nm
I have previously taken detailed courses on reflex integration and knew that it could take 4-6 weeks to integrate a reflex. Now, with this laser, I can see integration in one session. That doesn’t mean it will remain permanently integrated, just like one chiropractic session may not be enough, so conducting sessions on a regular basis should prove very helpful and build a more solid foundation. This laser comes with online training and gives you a book with detailed instructions, which also make this laser very different from others. You simply go in the exact order it shows you and at the next session, you pick up where you previously stopped.
How often do you use it? This varies depending on the age, tolerance, and symptoms of the child. For children around age 5, it may be a 20 minutes session each day. For an older child with more concerns, a session could be an hour. You can conduct these sessions every day, every other day, weekly, etc.. depending on the needs of the child and the issues you are addressing. Currently, I am able to do our sessions while the girls are awake. They enjoy watching a movie and frequently yawn during each session. My neurotypical 6 year old stated “I love the way it feels afterwards”, and Presley actually asks for her laser session. Many parents perform their sessions after the child has gone to sleep.
Side effects: I found no documented side effects from laser use. A few parents made comments about a headache, being tired, vivid dreams, and a temporary increase in negative behavior or emotions. Bonnie said this was not unusual as the brain reorganizes itself. I noticed Presley’s eye movements worsened for about a week then settled down to less than they were before. It is not recommended for use over eyes, thyroid, or cancer.
How can the laser potentially help your family?
* LLLT improves prefrontal cortex-related cognitive functions, such as sustained attention, extinction memory, working memory, and affective state. Transcranial infrared stimulation may be used efficaciously to support neuronal mitochondrial respiration as a new non-invasive, cognition-improving intervention in animals and humans. LLLT supplies the brain with metabolic energy in a way analogous to the conversion of nutrients into metabolic energy, but with light instead of nutrients providing the source for ATP-based metabolic energy. A long-lasting effect is achieved by LLLT’s up-regulating the amount of cytochrome oxidase, which enhances neuronal capacity for metabolic energy production that may be used to support cognitive brain functions. LLLT via commercial low-power sources (such as FDA-cleared laser diodes and LEDs) is a highly promising, affordable, non-pharmacological alternative for improving cognitive function. LLLT delivers safe doses of light energy that are sufficiently high to modulate neuronal functions, but low enough to not result in any damage. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3953713/ )
* We have shown, for the first time, that LLLT can stimulate neurogenesis in both the hippocampal DG and the SVZ in mice with TBI. Moreover, the treatment has been shown to improve spatial memory and learning. The likelihood that LLLT can induce the brain to repair itself after injury suggests that laser therapy may have much wider applications than that previously considered. Many diseases of the brain that are traumatic, degenerative, and psychiatric could be benefited if neurogenesis can be induced by an inexpensive, low-risk procedure without known side-effects. Moreover, tLLLT appears to be a viable and efficient stimulus for enhancing endogenous neurogenesis and to exert a survivability enhancing effect on the neuroprogenitor cells, thus increasing their chance to get functionally integrated into the pre-existing neuronal circuitry. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4189010/ )
* One popular warrior mom within the Down syndrome community is Jane Winans. She previously used neurofeedback with her teenage daughter Lydia, but stopped while trying the laser. She had a brain map performed prior to beginning the laser and three months after using the laser. She had this to say: “How’s this for data? Brain map Summary from Dr. Abbot:
Decreased beta and improved coherence are probably the most important findings. The beta would be getting in the way of any functioning deficits. (I think she meant benefits) No one does well when overly anxious or stimulated or when the brain is irritated. The improvements in coherence are actually rather exciting as frontal-occipital coherence is associated with reading smoothly, judgement, mood, executive functioning. Improvements in central and frontal locations may be associated with improvements in coordination, and strength. School testing – Lydia improved 2 levels on a standardized reading test since April. No summer reading program. Just laser.” (posted with permission from Jane).
* Excitotoxicity describes a pathogenic process whereby death of neurons releases large amounts of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, which then proceeds to activate a set of glutamatergic receptors on neighboring neurons (glutamate, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), and kainate), opening ion channels leading to an influx of calcium ions producing mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. Excitotoxicity contributes to brain damage after stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases, and is also involved in spinal cord injury. We tested whether low level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) at 810 nm could protect primary murine cultured cortical neurons against excitotoxicity in vitro produced by addition of glutamate, NMDA or kainate. Although the prevention of cell death was modest but significant, LLLT (3 J/cm(2) delivered at 25 mW/cm(2) over 2 min) gave highly significant benefits in increasing ATP, raising mitochondrial membrane potential, reducing intracellular calcium concentrations, reducing oxidative stress and reducing nitric oxide. The action of LLLT in abrogating excitotoxicity may play a role in explaining its beneficial effects in diverse central nervous system pathologies. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24127337 )
* Cerebral hypometabolism characterizes mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. Low-level light therapy (LLLT) enhances the metabolic capacity of neurons in culture through photostimulation of cytochrome oxidase, the mitochondrial enzyme that catalyzes oxygen consumption in cellular respiration. Growing evidence supports that neuronal metabolic enhancement by LLLT positively impacts neuronal function in vitro and in vivo. Experiment 1 verified that LLLT increased the rate of oxygen consumption in the prefrontal cortex in vivo. Experiment 2 showed that LLLT-treated rats had an enhanced extinction memory as compared to controls. Experiment 3 showed that LLLT reduced fear renewal and prevented the reemergence of extinguished conditioned fear responses. Experiment 4 showed that LLLT induced hormetic dose-response effects on the metabolic capacity of the prefrontal cortex. These data suggest that LLLT can enhance cortical metabolic capacity and retention of extinction memories, and implicate LLLT as a novel intervention to improve memory. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22850314 )
* LLLT or photobiomodulation refers to the use of low-power and high-fluence light from lasers or LEDs in the red to near-infrared wavelengths to modulate a biological function. Cytochrome oxidase is the primary photoacceptor of LLLT with beneficial eye and brain effects since this mitochondrial enzyme is crucial for oxidative energy metabolism, and neurons depend on cytochrome oxidase to produce their metabolic energy. Photon-induced redox mechanisms in cytochrome oxidase cause other primary and secondary hormetic responses in neurons that may be beneficial for neurotherapeutic purposes. Beneficial in vivo effects of LLLT on the eye have been found in optic nerve trauma, methanol intoxication, optic neuropathy, retinal injury, retinitis pigmentosa, phototoxicity, and age-related macular degeneration. Beneficial in vivo transcranial effects of LLLT on the brain have been observed in anoxic brain injury, atherothrombotic stroke, embolic stroke, ischemic stroke, acute traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic brain injury, neurodegeneration, age-related memory loss, and cognitive and mood disorders. No adverse side effects have been reported in these beneficial applications of LLLT in animals and humans. The authors conclude that LLLT is a safe and beneficial approach, based on scientifically sound mechanisms of action of red to near infrared light on cytochrome oxidase, with neurotherapeutic promise for a wide range of ophthalmological, neurological, and psychological conditions. (source: https://www.psio.com/pdf/LLLT-of-eye-and-brain.pdf )
2. Mitochondrial dysfunction, low ATP production –
* Here is an article from the Journal of Pediatric Biochemistry explaining mitochondrial dysfunction in Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum disorders: http://content.iospress.com/download/journal-of-pediatric-biochemistry/jpb00063?id=journal-of-pediatric-biochemistry%2Fjpb00063
* Radiation of tissue with light causes an increase in mitochondrial products such as ATP, NADH, protein, and RNA,83 as well as a reciprocal augmentation in oxygen consumption, and various in vitro experiments have confirmed that cellular respiration is upregulated when mitochondria are exposed to an HeNe laser or other forms of illumination. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3288797/ )
* The influence of LLLT on the electron transport chain extends far beyond simply increasing the levels of ATP produced by a cell. Oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain and is, in the process, converted to water. Part of the oxygen that is metabolized produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a natural by-product. ROS are chemically active molecules that play an important role in cell signaling, regulation of cell cycle progression, enzyme activation, and nucleic acid and protein synthesis. Because LLLT promotes the metabolism of oxygen, it also acts to increase ROS production. In turn, ROS activates transcription factors, which leads to the upregulation of various stimulatory and protective genes. These genes are most likely related to cellular proliferation, migration, and the production of cytokines and growth factors, which have all been shown to be stimulated by low-level light. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3288797/ )
3. Compromised immune system –
* Immune cells, in particular, appear to be strongly affected by LLLT. Mast cells, which play a crucial role in the movement of leukocytes, are of considerable importance in inflammation. Specific wavelengths of light are able to trigger mast cell degranulation,22 which results in the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-a from the cells.115 This leads to increased infiltration of the tissues by leukocytes. LLLT also enhances the proliferation, maturation, and motility of fibroblasts, and increases the production of basic fibroblast growth factor.31,67 Lymphocytes become activated and proliferate more rapidly, and epithelial cells become more motile, allowing wound sites to close more quickly. The ability of macrophages to act as phagocytes is also enhanced under the application of LLLT. (Read entire study here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3288797/ )
4. Hypothyroid –
* In reference to chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, which is the most common cause of acquired hypothyroidism: The preliminary results indicate that LLLT promotes the improvement of thyroid function, as patients experienced a decreased need for LT4, a reduction in TPOAb levels, and an increase in parenchymal echogenicity. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20662037 )
5. Impaired growth – I mark Presley’s height on the door in her room every 4-6 months. This keeps me aware of where she is on growth charts and if there are spans of slowed growth. In the six months prior to initiating the laser, she grew 1 1/4 inches, which is 0.052 inch per week. Seven weeks after using the laser, I suspected she had gone through a growth spurt and measured her again. She had already grown 3/4 inch, which is 0.107 inch a week. So, her rate of growth had almost doubled. She also went up 2 shoe sizes. I was unable to find any data supporting this, but many other parents noticed the same result with their children using the laser. Some suspect it may be do to their child sleeping more deeply since human growth hormone (HGH) is released more during sleep. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8627466 )
6. Information related to retained primitive reflexes:
* Primitive Reflexes: Reasons Behind Why My Child has Sensory Issues, Poor Balance, and Developmental Delays. The three most notable reflexes that are frequently seen in later childhood are the Moro reflex (affects sensory issues), Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) (child can’t cross the midline) and the Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR) (poor posture, W-sitting and developmental delays. (source: http://ilslearningcorner.com/2016-03-primitive-reflexes-reasons-behind-why-my-child-has-sensory-issues-poor-balance-and-developmental-delays/ )
* Why a retained spinal galant reflex can be mistaken for ADHD: http://ilslearningcorner.com/2016-02-primitive-reflexes-why-a-retained-spinal-galant-reflex-is-mistaken-for-adhd/
* The Learning Hierarchy by Sonia Story:
The normal hierarchical developmental system, beginning before the birth of the infant and carrying on through adulthood. If the foundations—the primitive and postural reflexes—are unstable, weak or have gaps in their development, they will undermine all other levels to some degree. The motor, perception, speech and conceptualisation will also be unstable, and breakdown in any or all of these areas can occur, causing the higher-level functioning areas to also be affected. Although these stages do overlap to a certain extent, if a stage is missed, interfered with or not fully integrated, it can prevent full development of subsequent stages. Unfortunately the child will not ‘grow out’ of their learning and behaviour problems. The problems may alter and appear to improve as the child learns to compensate in other ways, but the weakness in their system will remain, causing stress on their system. They may also resurface when the child moves to more intensive learning situations, where the demands of higher learning are greater, and the pressure for academic progress is more urgent. (See here for full article and picture of hierarchical developmental system: http://www.moveplaythrive.com/images/pdf/integrating_reflexes.pdf
7. Speech – There are many reflexes related to speech and communication. I used the basic reflex integration protocol with Presley for the first two months. We then added the TALK program. Presley was diagnosed with “severe apraxia” at age 3, and we have worked very hard continuing to input despite the limited output. However, we can definitely attribute our increase in speech and communication to the current use of the laser. Presley went from 3 word sentences to 5 word sentences within a week. She handed me a book and said “read it to me please”. Later, when asked about her day, she told her dad about her baseball game by saying “swing, swing, swing, hit ball and run”. She had never described her day to him before. Soon after when arriving at a nearby lake, she immediately said “ocean, dolphins, daddy’s big boat” and began looking for dolphins. These were new words for her and completely unprompted. We immediately noticed she was also singing along with songs. She began telling me if her bath water was “too hot” or “too cold”. We had also worked very hard on the letters D, N, and T without success previously, but a month into the TALK program, she just began saying them on her own.
Here is an example of her spontaneously singing in the car to songs on the radio.
Additional uses for the LLLT which could be useful for other family members as well:
* Stroke, fatigue, Depression: LLLT has been used non-invasively in humans after ischemic stroke to improve neurological outcome (Lampl et al., 2007). It also led to improved recovery and reduced fatigue after exercise (Leal Junior et al., 2010). One LLLT stimulation session to the forehead, as reported by Schiffer et al. (2009), produced a significant antidepressant effect in depressed patients. No adverse side effects were found either immediately or at 2 or 4 weeks after LLLT. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3953713/ )
* Hair loss – Studies have shown that LLLT stimulated hair growth in mice subjected to chemotherapy-induced alopecia and also in alopecia areata. Controlled clinical trials demonstrated that LLLT stimulated hair growth in both men and women. Among various mechanisms, the main mechanism is hypothesized to be stimulation of epidermal stem cells in the hair follicle bulge and shifting the follicles into anagen phase. ( source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3944668/ )
* Cellulite – Low-level laser therapy using green 532 nm diodes is safe and effective for improving the appearance of cellulite in the thighs and buttocks. In contrast with other technologies, LLLT is effective as a stand-alone procedure without requiring massage or mechanical manipulation. Future studies will assess the long-term benefits of LLLT for the treatment of cellulite.
* Accelerated wound healing –
– Tissue healing is a complex process that involves local and systemic responses. The use of low level laser therapy for wound healing has been shown to be effective in modulating both local and systemic response.
The study found that low level laser therapy (II) was effective in open wounds, which showed better regeneration and faster restoration of structural and functional integrity as compared to the control group. (source:
– The reviewed studies show that phototherapy, either by LASER or LED, is an effective therapeutic modality to promote healing of skin wounds. The biological effects promoted by these therapeutic resources are similar and are related to the decrease in inflammatory cells, increased fibroblast proliferation, angiogenesis stimulation, formation of granulation tissue and increased collagen synthesis. In addition to these effects, the irradiation parameters are also similar between LED and LASER. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4148276/ )
* Pain – acute orthopedic conditions such as sprains, strains, post-surgical pain, a whiplash injury, muscular back pain, cervical or lumbar radiculopathy, tendinitis, and chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, frozen shoulder, neck and back pain, epicondylitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinopathy, fibromyalgia, plantar fasciitis, post tibial fracture surgery and chronic regional pain syndrome are amenable to LLLT. Dental conditions producing pain such as orthodontic procedures, dentine hypersensitivity, and third molar surgery respond well to treatment with LLLT. Neuropathic pain conditions can also be treated such as post herpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy. Due to the wide spectrum of conditions one would surmise that multiple mechanisms can operate to achieve pain relief. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4743666/ )
* Brain Injury or traumatic brain injury:
– Clinical application of these levels of infrared energy for this patient with TBI yielded highly favorable outcomes with decreased depression, anxiety, headache, and insomnia, whereas cognition and quality of life improved. Neurological function appeared to improve based on changes in the SPECT by quantitative analysis. (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26535475 )
– (Using helmet) Researchers at the VA Boston Healthcare System are testing the effects of light therapy on brain function in the Veterans with Gulf War Illness study.The light is painless and generates no heat. A treatment takes about 30 minutes. The light from the diodes has been shown to boost the output of nitric oxide near where the LEDs are placed, which improves blood flow in that location. The LED therapy increases blood flow in the brain, as shown on MRI scans. It also appears to have an effect on damaged brain cells, specifically on their mitochondria. These are bean-shaped subunits within the cell that put out energy in the form of a chemical known as ATP. The red (600 nm) and NIR (800–900nm) wavelengths penetrate through the scalp and skull by about 1 cm to reach brain cells and spur the mitochondria to produce more ATP. That can mean clearer, sharper thinking. Naeser says brain damage caused by explosions, or exposure to pesticides or other neurotoxins — such as in the Gulf War — could impair the mitochondria in cells. (source: http://www.kurzweilai.net/light-therapy-for-brain-injuries )
* Alzheimer’s – Parkinson’s – Turning On Lights to Stop Neurodegeneration: The Potential of Near Infrared Light Therapy in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. Several recent studies in animal models of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease have reported that low-level near infrared light (NIr) therapy not only mitigates the behavioral deficits associated with these conditions but also has neuroprotective effects, slowing the underlying death of neurons. The first studies to report neuroprotection by NIr after parkinsonian insult demonstrated that NIr treatment reduced cell death, increased ATP content and decreased levels of oxidative stress in rat striatal and cortical cells exposed to the parkinsonian toxins rotenone and MPP+ (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridium) in vitro (Liang et al., 2008; Ying et al., 2008). In cultures of human neuroblastoma cells engineered to overexpress α-synuclein, NIr increased mitochondrial function and reduced oxidative stress after MPP+ (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium) exposure (Trimmer et al., 2009; Quirk et al., 2012b). Further, in hybrid cells bearing mitochondrial DNA from Parkinson’s patients, mitochondrial movement along axons improved substantially after NIr treatment, with movement restored to near control levels. There would be several key advantages for the use of NIr therapy over current treatments for both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. First and foremost, NIr has the potential to be neuroprotective. A growing body of pre-clinical evidence indicates that NIr therapy slows or stops disease pathology. (read more: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4707222/ )
– Here is an indepth study about Alzheimer’s and upregulating BDNF using LLLT.
(Read: http://www.jneurosci.org/content/33/33/13505 )
While the research data is not specifically for children with special needs or the Down syndrome population, they show many ways the laser is being studied to help the body and brain. The stories on the cold laser private facebook page “Cold laser/LED/light therapy” are endless and nothing short of miraculous. Parents have reported the following amazing results:
– first crawling movements
– increased distance of crawling
– first steps
– first time to stand unsupported
– increased energy, less fatigue
– increased speech and communication with depth, detail, and meaning
– increased social interaction with family and friends
– increased eye contact
– increased confidence
– detoxification reactions
– narrowed gait (Presley’s physical therapist also made comment to this)
– improved balance and coordination, jumping, standing on one leg
– improved vision (noted by their optometrist)
– coordinated eye movements
– first time to walk upstairs or downstairs
– improved reading skills
– improved sleep, less awakenings
– increased growth/height
– decreased or stopped teeth grinding
– decreased anxiety and frustration in neurotypical children
– first time to feed self using finger foods
– first time for imaginative play and appropriate play with use of toys
– decreased sensitivities to sound and touch
– laughing and smiling in appropriate responses
– improved writing ability
– increased attention and focus
– stopped bedwetting
I wrote this post to help parents who are interested in learning more about the benefits of cold lasers. I am not a consultant or advisor for QRI, but this is the company I chose to use, and the staff has exceeded my expectations in their customer service and personally taking time to answer all of my questions. They are not medical professionals and will not give medical advice. As a consumer, I have seen incredible results, both cognitive and physical, that seem to be shared with every other parent that utilizes this device. I participated in the online program and in person training class when Bonnie Brandes and Jamie Barker attended the Down syndrome Innovations conference here in Little Rock, Arkansas. As part of our mission at 3 of 21, I want to ensure parents have the most information at their disposal regarding what we believe to be the most beneficial technologies or therapeutic aids available at the time. This device and learning program from QRI definitely meet this criteria, and I hope you find this information helpful to you and your family.