SALT LAKE CITY — A major breakthrough in brain health research suggests that red‑light therapy could significantly protect football players from long‑term head injuries.
A new study published in the Journal of Neurotrauma found that Vielight red‑light therapy helmets, tested last year by BYU football players, led to measurable reductions in brain inflammation over the course of a season. University of Utah and BYU researchers collaborated on the project.
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Former BYU football star helps pioneer breakthrough in brain injury treatment and recovery
A former BYU football player and Hall of Famer believes he's found a groundbreaking solution to the devastating effects of traumatic brain injury — through a new kind of headgear.Dr. Larry Carr, a former BYU football player who suffered severe brain damage and became a coauthor of the study, said the findings could be transformative for the sport.
"I think we've solved the problem and potentially saved football," Carr said to KSL. He noted that players who did not use the therapy showed "a massive increase in inflammation throughout the entire brain," while those using the device saw inflammation decrease.
According to Carr, the treatment promotes "a healthier brain," allowing athletes to play without sacrificing long‑term neurological health.
Manufacturers of the Vielight device say its use has expanded far beyond football. Peter Adams, the company's vice president of business development, said athletes across multiple sports are adopting the technology.
"We have NHL hockey players, we have world‑champion tennis players, we have some of the top basketball players in the world, and a lot of UFC fighters," Adams said, calling the study results "unbelievable."
Additional research on red‑light therapy has shown positive outcomes for firefighters and former athletes. A large study involving former NFL players is currently in the works.
