Researchers from the University of Birmingham in the UK and Beijing Normal University in China found that laser beam therapy was effective in improving short-term memory. Researchers’ work published at Science Advances.
The scientists used transcranial photobiomodulation (TPBM). This is a form of light therapy that uses monochrome visible and infrared light from lasers placed on the head to reflect light directly onto targeted areas of the brain.
In this study, the scientists targeted the right prefrontal cortex, which plays an important role in the formation of short-term memory. This type of non-invasive treatment can improve short-term memory in humans by 25% after just a few minutes of treatment.
“People with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or other attention-related disorders may benefit from this type of treatment. It’s safe, fast, and has no side effects,” the scientists said.
The experiment involved 90 people with short-term memory problems. After the 12-minute procedure, participants in the first group were asked to recall the set of items displayed on the screen before the procedure. They were able to recall 4 to 5 items that were 25% higher than the control group.
Researchers do not yet know exactly why the treatment has a positive effect on working memory and how long this effect will last. Further studies are planned to explore these aspects.