Former BYU football star helps pioneer breakthrough in brain injury treatment and recovery – KSL TV 5

Report on Photobiomodulation Technology for Mitigating Traumatic Brain Injury in Athletes

This report details an investigation into a novel light-emitting headgear technology as a potential solution for the adverse effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study, conducted at Brigham Young University (BYU), aligns significantly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), by exploring innovative methods to prevent and treat neurological conditions.

Context: The Public Health Challenge and SDG 3

Traumatic brain injuries represent a significant health concern, particularly in high-impact sports. The long-term consequences of repeated head trauma can be devastating, impacting cognitive function, mental health, and overall quality of life. Addressing this issue is a critical component of achieving SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The impetus for this research stems from the personal experience of Dr. Larry Carr, a former BYU Hall of Famer and adjunct professor, who found profound relief from TBI symptoms through light therapy, motivating his mission to “save football.”

The BYU Photobiomodulation Study

Methodology and Innovation

In 2021, BYU’s athletic department initiated a study to assess the efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy using Vielight devices. This research represents a key advancement in health technology, contributing to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

1. Participants: The study involved 32 healthy football players.
2. Procedure: Participants wore the light-emitting headsets for 20-minute sessions, three times per week, throughout the football season.
3. Control Group: The study was placebo-controlled, with half of the participants using functional devices and the other half using non-operational sham devices.
4. Metrics: Researchers measured cognitive performance, brain inflammation markers, and physical indicators such as grip strength.

Technology Overview

The Vielight device is a form of headgear that administers low-level light therapy to the brain. The proposed mechanism involves stimulating ATP production—the primary energy currency of cells—and reducing neuroinflammatory responses, which are common after head impacts. This non-invasive approach is central to promoting neurological health and resilience.

Key Findings and Contribution to Well-being

While official results are pending publication, preliminary data and anecdotal reports indicate significant positive outcomes, directly supporting the targets of SDG 3.

Performance and Cognitive Enhancements

Participants using the active devices demonstrated notable improvements, whereas the placebo group often showed a decline in performance over the course of the demanding season. Observed benefits include:

• Increases in grip strength
• Enhanced sustained attention and cognitive control
• Improved mental speed and reaction time

Physiological and Neurological Impact

Brain scans reportedly showed reduced inflammation in players from the active group, while untreated players exhibited worsening conditions. This finding is crucial for preventing the long-term neurodegeneration associated with TBIs. The positive experiences of players, who reported feeling stronger and more mentally sharp, underscore the technology’s potential to enhance well-being. Furthermore, previous research on firefighters using the same technology showed a 35% decrease in depression and a 40% reduction in PTSD, highlighting its broader applications for mental health, a key aspect of SDG 3.

Conclusion: Aligning Athletic Health with Global Development Goals

The BYU study on Vielight technology presents a promising frontier in the management of traumatic brain injuries. By focusing on prevention and cognitive enhancement, this research strongly aligns with global health objectives.

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The primary contribution is the potential to drastically reduce the burden of neurological and mental health disorders resulting from head injuries in athletes and other high-risk populations.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): By preserving the long-term health of athletes, this innovation supports their ability to maintain their careers and, more importantly, lead healthy, productive lives after their athletic careers conclude.

The ongoing research, with plans to expand studies to NFL alumni, signifies a committed effort to leverage technological innovation for the betterment of human health, fulfilling the core mission of the Sustainable Development Goals.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The article’s central theme is a new technological solution aimed at mitigating the “devastating effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI).” It directly addresses physical and mental health by focusing on brain health, reducing brain inflammation, and improving cognitive function. The personal account of Dr. Larry Carr, who suffered a TBI and experienced a “dramatic turnaround” in his emotional and cognitive state, underscores the goal of promoting well-being. Furthermore, the mention of a previous study on firefighters showing a “35% decrease in depression and a 40% drop in PTSD” explicitly links the technology to mental health improvement.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • The article highlights a “groundbreaking solution” that stems from scientific research and technological innovation. The development and study of the Vielight device, a “small, light-emitting device,” represents an advancement in health technology. The collaboration between BYU and Dr. Carr to conduct a formal study on the device exemplifies the process of enhancing scientific research to solve a real-world problem, as described in the article: “In 2021, BYU participated in a light therapy study using Vielight devices.”

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The initiative described is a result of a multi-stakeholder partnership. Dr. Larry Carr, an adjunct professor at the University of Utah and a former BYU Hall of Famer, brought the idea to the BYU Athletic Director. This created a partnership between individuals affiliated with different academic institutions (University of Utah and BYU) to achieve a common goal. The article states, “Carr brought the idea to BYU Athletic Director Tom Holmoe, who immediately saw the potential,” showcasing the collaborative effort.

Specific Targets Identified

1. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

   • The article directly relates to this target by discussing a treatment for TBI and its long-term consequences like CTE, which are non-communicable conditions. The light therapy aims to prevent further decline and treat existing symptoms. The focus on improving mental health is clear from Dr. Carr’s experience (“It had a tremendous change in emotion, cognitive abilities. I find more peace.”) and the results from the firefighter study, which showed significant decreases in depression and PTSD.

2. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers and public and private research and development spending.

   • The BYU study is a direct example of enhancing scientific research to address a health issue. The article details a formal study with a control group (“Half of the participants used working devices, while the other half wore placebo versions”) to test an innovative technology. This effort to find a “groundbreaking solution” through structured research aligns perfectly with the goal of encouraging innovation.

3. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

   • The project is a partnership between BYU (a private university, part of civil society) and Dr. Carr (affiliated with the University of Utah, a public university). This collaboration leverages the resources and expertise of different entities to advance a shared health objective, as detailed when “Carr brought the idea to BYU Athletic Director Tom Holmoe.”

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Indicators for Target 3.4

   • The article explicitly mentions several metrics used to measure the impact on physical and mental health, which can serve as indicators:
     • Changes in cognitive performance, sustained attention, mental speed, and reaction time.
     • Levels of brain inflammation and tissue damage, as seen on “brain scans of players.”
     • Changes in physical metrics like “grip strength.”
     • Reduction in rates of mental health conditions, such as the “35% decrease in depression and a 40% drop in PTSD” found in a related study.

2. Indicators for Target 9.5

   • Progress towards this target is indicated by the research and innovation activities described:
     • The existence of the formal “light therapy study” at BYU.
     • The application of the innovative “Vielight devices” in a new context (football players).
     • The process of data collection and analysis, with “official results are still pending publication,” which is a key part of the scientific research process.

3. Indicators for Target 17.17

   • The primary indicator is the existence and nature of the partnership itself:
     • The collaboration between BYU’s athletic department and Dr. Larry Carr from the University of Utah. The article notes this was initiated when Carr approached BYU, leading to the study.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ksltv.com