Transcranial Photobiomodulation in Anxiety Disorders

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN · Aug 13, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new, non-invasive treatment called transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), which uses gentle infrared light on the head to help reduce symptoms of anxiety. Researchers believe that combining this light therapy with special exercises aimed at changing how people pay attention to anxious thoughts may help improve anxiety symptoms in adults who experience mild to moderate anxiety but do not have a formal anxiety disorder.

To join this study, participants need to be 18 years or older and have anxiety levels that fall within a moderate range, as measured by a simple questionnaire. They should also have little to no depression and must not be currently pregnant or undergoing other similar light therapies. Participants can expect to attend sessions where they receive the light treatment along with attention-based exercises designed to reduce anxiety. This study is not yet recruiting, but it offers a promising, safe approach for those looking for new ways to manage anxiety symptoms without medication.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 18 years of age and older
• • State-Trait Anxiety Index (STAI) questionnaire score between 40-59 (indicates moderate sub-clinical anxiety)
• • Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score between 1-9 (indicates minimal to mild sub-clinical depression)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • STAI score less than 40 or greater than 59
• • PHQ-9 score greater than 9
• • Medication instability (i.e., medication change within 6 weeks)
• • Indicated suicidal ideation
• • Currently receiving tPBM treatment
• • Current pregnancy