Non-randomised trial, 1997
Does a flashing light device reduce PMS symptoms?
A small study found that 17 women using a take-home flashing light device for 15-20 minutes daily had a median 76% reduction in PMS symptoms after three months, but this was an uncontrolled trial so certainty is low.
What they did
17 women with PMS used a take-home flashing light device for 15-20 minutes daily throughout their cycle for three months. Separately, 6 women with PMS had weekly brain wave recordings (EEG) during their cycle.
What they found
The 17 women had a median 76% reduction in PMS symptoms after three months. Twelve of the 17 women no longer technically had PMS. The 6 women showed increased slow brain wave (delta) activity and slower P300 responses during their premenstrual phase compared to mid-cycle.
What it means for you
Flashing light might help PMS symptoms, but this was a very small study with no control group and no placebo comparison, so we cannot be confident the effect is real. The brain wave findings suggest PMS involves changes in electrical brain activity.
76%
median reduction in PMS symptoms
12 of 17
women no longer had PMS
15-20 minutes
daily device use
About the study
- Original title
- PMS, EEG, and Photic Stimulation
- Authors
- David Noton
- Journal
- Journal of Neurotherapy
- Year
- 1997
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- Participants
- 17
- What was tested
- Flashing light device, 15-20 minutes daily
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1300/j184v02n02_02