Effects of transcranial photobiomodulation on fine motor skills in boccia para-athletes

Edna de Morais Garcez; Alessandra Baptista; Michael R Hamblin; Selly S Suzuki; Aguinaldo Garcez; Silvia Cristina Nunez; Ricardo S Navarro; Thamiris Bassoto; Aguinaldo Silva Garcez

doi:10.1111/php.14060

Effects of transcranial photobiomodulation on fine motor skills in boccia para-athletes

Photochem Photobiol. 2025 Jan 21. doi: 10.1111/php.14060. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Edna de Morais Garcez¹, Alessandra Baptista¹, Michael R Hamblin², Selly S Suzuki³, Aguinaldo Garcez¹, Silvia Cristina Nunez¹, Ricardo S Navarro¹, Thamiris Bassoto³, Aguinaldo Silva Garcez³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Bioengeneering, Universidade Brasil, São Paulo, Brazil.
² Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg-Doornfontein Campus, Doornfontein, South Africa.
³ Laboratory of Lasers, Faculdade São Leopoldo Mandic, Campinas, Brazil.

PMID: 39838713
DOI: 10.1111/php.14060

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of transcranial photobiomodulation (t-PBM) on para-athletes' manual dexterity and intralimbal coordination. Six para-athletes from a Boccia Team participated. t-PBM was administered using a LED helmet with 204 LEDs (660 and 850 nm) emitting 10 mW each, delivering 9 J/cm² per LED during 15-min sessions three times a week. The trial lasted 2 weeks, with baseline, placebo treatment, and post-treatment assessments. Manual dexterity was measured by Box and Ball Test (BBLT), and intralimbal coordination by discrete and continuous horizontal and vertical touch tests. Results showed significant improvements in manual dexterity for the t-PBM group compared to the placebo. Discrete vertical touch tests showed reduced time to perform movements, and continuous vertical touch tests showed increased movement frequency in the t-PBM group. No significant improvements were observed in the placebo group. t-PBM was shown to be a potentially effective treatment, with significant benefits in fine motor skills.

Keywords: LED; intralimbal coordination; manual dexterity; neuro‐photomodulation.