Perioperative Transcranial Photobiomodulation and Delayed Neurocognitive Recovery in Older Patients

Delayed neurocognitive recovery is a common neurocognitive complication in older patients after surgery, especially those with preoperative neurocognitive decline. Transcranial photobiomodulation therapy is a novel neuromodulation technique using transcranial low-power light to modulate brain biological functions. This technique has been used to treat various neurological or psychiatric conditions, including ischemic stroke, traumatic brain injury, and major depression. This study is designed to explore whether using transcranial photobiomodulation therapy during the perioperative period can reduce the incidence of delayed neurocognitive recovery in older patients with pre-existing neurocognitive impairment.

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 65 years or older. * Preoperative Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) \1 hour. * Planned hospital stay of at least 1 day before surgery and at least 2 days after surgery. Exclusion Criteria: * Communication barriers before surgery due to coma, severe dementia, or language disorders. * History of schizophrenia, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, or myasthenia gravis, or delirium before surgery. * History of brain injury, tumors, or surgery, or intracranial metal implants, or skin or soft tissue injuries on the head or face. * History of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke within 3 months before surgery. * An American Society of Anesthesiologists class ≥ IV. * Enrolled in other interventional studies. * Other conditions deemed unsuitable for study participation.