25 Aug 2025

Vielight Media Spotlight | TBI Clinical Breakthroughs by the U of Utah

Scientific Spotlight

Vielight’s collaboration with the University of Utah’s Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion Center has become a centerpiece for media. Recently featured in the University’s official news, the $4.6M Department of Defense (DoD) grant represents a major validation of PBM’s potential.

“I hope that for many of our folks that are suffering with persistent chronic symptoms … that this will be the hope for them moving forward, and that we might be able to reduce those symptoms and provide a quality of life that they may have been missing up until now.”

— Dr. Carrie Esopenko

Vielight featured in the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine news article

University of Utah Awarded $4.6M DoD Grant to Study Vielight PBM for TBI

Researchers at the University of Utah and NYU have received a landmark $4.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to investigate Vielight’s photobiomodulation (PBM) technology as a treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI).

This large-scale, 300-participant clinical trial aims to establish a drug-free intervention for service members and first responders suffering from chronic mTBI symptoms. Led by Dr. Elisabeth Wilde and Dr. Carrie Esopenko, the study will examine the efficacy of Vielight technology in improving cognitive function, mood regulation, and overall brain health.

This is based on several successful medium sized clinical trials (40+ participants) with Vielight’s patented intranasal-transcranial technology.

Read more U of Utah x Vielight TBI Clinical Studies

Can Light Therapy "Armor" the Brain?

New Research: itPBM & Athletic Resilience A groundbreaking 2026 double-blind study conducted by the University of Utah and BYU, published in the Journal of Neurotrauma followed 26 NCAA Division I football players over a full season.

Research Findings: While the sham group showed significant increases in markers for neuroinflammation, athletes using Vielight’s intranasal-transcranial (itPBM) technology maintained stable brain microstructure, suggesting a powerful neuroprotective effect against repetitive impacts.

Read the U of Utah Press Release Read the Neurotrauma Published Study

Vielight in the Media: From Clinical Breakthroughs to Elite Performance

A curated look at how the world’s leading news organizations, researchers, and professional athletes are reporting on the future of brain photobiomodulation.

KSL-TV 5 (Salt Lake City, UT) aired a follow-up feature spotlighting a newly published University of Utah clinical study in 26 NCAA Division I football players, reporting MRI-based findings consistent with a potential brain-protective effect from Vielight’s intranasal-transcranial photobiomodulation (itPBM).

KSL-TV 5 (Salt Lake City, UT) aired a section focusing on an inside look at the Vielight Neuro, which BYU Football athletes are finding success with this season, focusing on Vielight’s patented intranasal-transcranial PBM’s role in performance and recovery, along with their breakout year.

KCRA 3 (Sacramento, CA) profiled former Oregon State linebacker Rico Petrini Jr., who participated in the University of Utah’s photobiomodulation study. Petrini shared that he’s experienced “about 80-90% improvement” and is “in the best place [he’s] been in 20 years,” while the station also noted BYU’s team-wide use of the technology and that two NFL teams are evaluating it.

Third Feature: CBS Sacramento

CBS News (Sacramento) featured former pro football player Rico Petrini Jr. and his journey with Vielight brain photobiomodulation therapy after years of hits on the field. This summer, University of Utah researchers published phase two of their TBI clinical study (n=44) using transcranial + intranasal photobiomodulation (itPBM) with Vielight technology over 8–10 weeks. This builds on their previous published itPBM TBI study (n=49).

From recovery to performance: why this matters

Independent coverage is catching up with what researchers and athletes have been exploring for years: transcranial-intranasal photobiomodulation (tPBM) can modulate brain activity and may support functional outcomes that matter on and off the field.

In 2019, a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study published in Scientific Reports showed that a single 20-minute session with the Vielight Neuro Gamma increased alpha/beta/gamma power, decreased delta/theta, and altered functional connectivity and graph-theory network measures in healthy older adults, direct evidence of non-invasive neuromodulation. Nature
At the University of Utah, studies with collision athletes have reported consistent improvements on objective measures (e.g., processing speed/strength) after at-home tPBM use, with ongoing clinical research underway.
Phase 1 – Vielight Uni of Utah TBI Study Cognitive test battery (e.g., CVLT-3, D-KEFS, CPT-3, NIH Toolbox).
Phase 2 – Vielight Uni of Utah TBI Study Motor/functional measures (reaction time drop test, Grooved Pegboard, grip dynamometer, MiniBEST.

KCRA’s report also referenced a BYU analysis noting potential indicators of reduced brain inflammation during the season – a promising area of investigation, with more data expected as research progresses. KCRA

BYU’s breakout year—and the bigger picture

BYU’s 2024 season speaks for itself: 11–2 overall, a 36–14 Alamo Bowl win over Colorado, and a No. 13 final AP ranking – the program’s best finish since 2020. While many factors drive on-field success, we’re proud that BYU leadership embraced emerging neuroscience alongside traditional training and recovery.

“After reviewing early photobiomodulation research led by Professor Lisa Wilde at the University of Utah’s Neurology Department, and working with our own performance research team led by Dr. Coleby Cloawson, we’ve seen compelling evidence – enough to include the Vielight Neuro Duo as standard equipment for our football team during the 2024 season.” — Tom Holmoe, 3x Super Bowl Champion and BYU Associate Athletic Director

What athletes are saying and seeing

Across our community of athletes and research participants, the most frequently reported or measured changes include:

Sharper mental speed and faster reaction time
Grip strength gains over a season
Better focus and energy
Early indicators consistent with reduced neuroinflammation under investigation

These themes mirror what KSL-TV previewed for BYU and what Utah researchers have discussed publicly about objective metrics improving with tPBM.

University of Utah diffusion-MRI (DTI) tractography maps show decreased inflammation-related diffusion markers with Vielight Neuro versus placebo

Our mission

Vielight exists to deliver non-invasive, drug-free neurotechnology built on evidence-based innovation—so people can protect and enhance brain function, from recovery to performance.

A heartfelt thank you to Rico Petrini Jr. for sharing his journey; to the researchers at the University of Utah; and to the BYU program for helping pioneer the future of sports performance and brain health.

Notes & Disclosures

The Vielight Neuro is a wellness/consumer neurotechnology device. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Individual results vary.
Statements about performance, recovery, or inflammation relate to ongoing research and media reports; they should not be interpreted as medical claims.

Media & Press

For interviews, images, or technical background (including published neuromodulation data), please contact info@vielight.com. Key references include the Scientific Reports neuromodulation trial and University of Utah study information.

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