Connecting with others

I’ve been observing people with Parkinson’s disease using trans-cranial red and near infrared light devices for nearly four years now. I’ve learned lots of things, especially how little I knew about the realities of living with this rotten, slippery disease.

Here’s a curious thing I’ve noticed.

Photobiomodulation can help people with Parkinson’s reconnect with others

Parkinson’s disease seems to affect auditory processing – the ability to interpret what is being said.

If I have a problem with auditory processing, it looks like this:

• I can hear the sounds people are making as they talk to me; and

• I can hear the words people are saying; BUT

• It takes me a long time to interpret the meaning of the words.

• By the time I figure out what someone has just said to me, the conversation has moved on.

It is not a hearing problem – it is a brain problem. And it is frightening because I can’t keep up with conversations.

Daily red and near infrared lights on the head seems to improve the speed with which a person with Parkinson’s interprets speech and responds to conversation. I’ve seen this in a lot of people. Several, who had lost their formidable ability for whip-fast repartee, have regained it. After quite a number of months of using daily lights, they resumed making smart comments, and regained their fast timing. One lady commented, “I’ve got my husband back.”

The other effect that improvement in auditory processing produces is a real blessing for the partner – they don’t have to repeat things as often!