The Rio Lightmask is a low-cost device for pulsed light therapy (Photic Stimulation) suitable for home use, based on the research into PMS and Migraine, conducted by Dr Duncan Anderson at The Royal Postgraduate Medical School at Hammersmith Hospital in London. The Lightmask consists of a pulsed light unit mounted on a soft wrap-around headband. A separate control unit allows the user to select various programmes and to adjust the brightness and pulse frequency of the light for maximum comfort. The Lightmask switches off automatically after 15 minutes, allowing it to be used when going to sleep. Scientific studies have shown that Photic Stimulation may also be effective for a variety of other disorders including insomnia, relief from chronic pain, stress and Attention Deficit Disorder.

The Rio Lightmask was developed at Hammersmith Hospital in London in conjunction with David Noton PhD. This exciting and revolutionary new drug free treatment uses photic stimulation in the form of programmed patterns of gently pulsating light shone into closed eyes.

Clinical studies have shown that the Rio Lightmask can stop 3 out of 4 migraines and headaches in their tracks and the average symptom reduction for PMS and PMT was a staggering 76%! Clinically and statistically significant positive benefits have also been achieved for insomnia, depression, stress and anxiety, low confidence and low self esteem, irritability, fatigue, poor concentration and food cravings and research into other benefits are ongoing.

The soft comfortable mask fits snugly over the eyes and a small digital control unit allows the wearer to set the light brightness, frequency and programme. There are five programmes including migraine, PMS and relaxation. After each 15 minute treatment session the unit will automatically switch itself off.

The Rio Light mask is deeply calming and relaxing and easy to use - the ultimate chill-out/de-stressing experience! In fact most users report they drift into deep and refreshing sleep by the end of its unique 15 minute photic stimulation cycle - waking up with a clear head.

Programme 1: PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)
As a treatment for PMS this programme should be used daily. After a few months, it may be possible to stop using the Lightmask for several days after the period begins, but should be used again before mid-cycle is reached.
Programme 2: Classic Migraine & Migraine Prevention
This programme is for use by all migraine sufferers as a daily preventative treatment. It can also be used for immediate treatment of attacks of classic migraine (migraine which is predicted by warning signs).
Programme 3: Common Migraine
Used for treatment of attacks of common migraine (migraine without warning signs), but is generally not used as a preventative treatment for migraine since its high frequency of operation can make it less effective.
Programme 4: Relaxation & Sleep
This programme is usually used for sleep and relaxation, but may also be helpful to some PMS sufferers. Helping the mind to relax, daily stress is soothed away. This setting may also help with sleeping difficulties.
Programme 5: Advanced
This programme starts with operating the lights at 30 pulses per second. However, the light pulse frequency can be varied from 5 to 50 pulses per second. The other programmes have a more limited range of frequency adjustment around their preset levels. This programme is therefore designed for experimentation of different pulse frequencies .

What is it?
It is a new, drug-free treatment for Migraine and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) using only light, developed by British doctors.

How does it work?
During PMS, the body's internal clock becomes de-synchronised from the external rhythm of day and night. Dr D Anderson and his colleagues have found that the use of pulsing light helps the clock to re-synchronise. It can also re-establish normal brain function when used during a migraine, thereby stopping the pain.

How will I know which programme will be the most effective for me?
The Lightmask works differently for each individual, so we advise experimenting with the programmes to see which is best suited for you.

Can anyone use the Lightmask?
Yes, although if you have any history of epilepsy or seizures, you should use the Lightmask only under medical supervision. Children from the age of 10 may use the Lightmask, however, we recommend that children should be supervised by an adult at all times.

How long is the guarantee?
2 years

These are some of the things users have said about the Rio Lightmask.

"I am writing to let you know about the fantastic results I have had after using your Lightmask for 6 months. It has changed my life for the better. Before using your mask I had very bad PMT, some months even feeling suicidal, depressed, headaches, swelling in breasts, tearful, violent, angry, aggressive. Since using the mask I have had hardly any of these symptoms, even the physical things have stopped. All of my family have noticed a big change in my personality and I can't thank you enough. I just wanted to thank you and say it's brilliant." - Mrs TC, Kent

"After the first month my symptoms had improved, they got even better during the second month and by the third month the results were dramatic. The worst symptoms, the bloating and chocolate cravings, went and I've lost more than a stone (14lbs) in weight." - LS, Kent , as reported in The Daily Mail, London

"I suffer with migraine and tension headaches and since about August this year had practically had headaches every single day. I was spending a lot of money on medicines. I started to use the Lightmask on 28 October 1997 and have not had a single headache since. The other thing I have noticed is the fact that I am sleeping better." - Mrs SK, Manchester

"The first time I tried the mask, I thought I wouldn't be able to put up with the flashing lights for 15 minutes. But when the mask switched itself off automatically I felt totally relaxed. After using it for three days, I did feel less bloated and almost didn't notice when my period began, because I usually suffer from bad stomach cramps but they didn't appear." - EB, London , as reported in Here! magazine.

"The most alarming thing was the anger. I was an even-tempered person before and suddenly I became Godzilla. I went back to my doctor and tried the usual remedies, such as evening primrose oil and vitamins B6 and E, without success. After the first month on the machine my symptoms were virtually gone. All that anger had gone, the sleep problems, hot and cold feelings, dreadful bloating, all gone." - CS, East Sussex , as reported in The Daily Mail, London

"The mood swings were what really got me down - it was more like a major depression for two and a half weeks out of every month. I just couldn't cope. The Lightmask has changed my life. The first period I had after using it was unbelievable. No depression, no mood swings and I didn't even suffer any pain. I couldn't really believe it. I am now only having to use the mask one week before my period is due and all the discomforts are gone." - MK, Aberdeenshire, as reported in The Ellon Times

"Mrs Chappell of Sheffield suffered from hormonal migraine and her doctor suggested that she might like to try the Lightmask developed by Dr. Anderson at Hammersmith Hospital , she has not had a migraine during the three months she has been using it." - Migraine Action News

Reprinted from Headache 29:154-155, 1989

The Treatment of Migraine with Variable Frequency Photo-Stimulation
D.J. Anderson , B.Sc., M.B., B.S.

SYNOPSIS
Variable Frequency Photo-stimulation (VFP) goggles are a form of portable stroboscope, using red Light Emitting Diodes to alternately illuminate the right and left eyes, with the eyelids closed, at a rate of 0.5 to 50 Hz. VFP goggles were used in the treatment of 7 patients with migraine headache. Of the 50 migraine headaches reported, 49 were rated by the patient as being helped and 36 as being stopped by using the VFP goggles. Treatment reduced the median duration of the headache in all patients. The interval between migraine headaches appeared to increased in the two cases with follow up of more than 18 months. We conclude in this preliminary study that VFP appears to be effective in the treatment of migraine.

INTRODUCTION
VFP goggles consist of a pair of goggles, similar to swimming goggles, using red Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to alternately illuminate the right and left eyes, with the eyelids closed, at a rate of 0.5 to 50 Hz per eye. The eyelids are closed because the LEDs have to use a narrow angle of illumination (70 degrees) and the eyelids act to diffuse the light. The goggles are connected to a small battery powered control box by means of which the user can control the frequency and intensity of illumination. The mark space ratio is 50% independent of frequency. The light output from the LEDs is adjustable in the range of 10 to 500 millicandela. A pilot study was carried out using VFP on 7 patients in conjunction with the Pain Clinic at Coleraine Hospital , The Psychology Department at The Queen Elizabeth Military Hospital and a North Yorkshire General Practice.

METHOD
The patients all presented with long-standing migraine headaches. Migraine was diagnosed using the definition of Blau. "Episodic headache lasting from 2 to 72 hours with total freedom between attacks. The headaches must be associated with visual or gastrointestinal disturbance or both. The visual symptoms occur as an aura before and/or photo phobia during the headache phase. If there are no visual but alimentary disturbances, then vomiting must feature in some of the attacks. " (Blau, 1984)

Patients were questioned as to their previous history of migraine and only those with a history of at least five years were included. Any patient with a history of epilepsy was excluded as a precaution, it being known that epileptic fits can be provoked by stroboscopic light. Underlying pathology was excluded by physical examination. No patient had achieved satisfactory control of symptoms with drug therapy. Patients were given a pair of VFP goggles to take away and their use was explained. They were asked to use them at the onset of their symptoms and to adjust the frequency and intensity of illumination for comfort. The patient's informed consent was obtained. They were asked to keep a record of their headache activity and use of the VFP goggles together with the effect the VFP goggles had. Follow up was then arranged. Two patients have been followed up over two years.

RESULTS
Seven patients (5 female, 2 male) aged 26 to 57 years (median age 42 years) were treated with the VFP goggles. The median time since the first migraine headache was 20 years (range 8 to 45 years). Median migraine frequency was 6 per month (range 1 per day to 1 per month).

Fifty migraines were recorded. Forty-nine of these were rated by the patients as being "helped" by using the VFP goggles. Thirty-six of the migraines were rated as being "stopped" by using the VFP goggles.

Median duration of use of the VFP goggles was 30 minutes (range 5 to 60 minutes). The reported duration of the migraine headaches without treatment was 6 hours (range 4 to 48 hours). The median duration of migraine using the VFP goggles was 35 minutes (range 5 minutes to 6 hours). A Wilcoxon matched pairs test was carried out to compare this data. The reduction in duration of migraine headache was significant within this small group (P<0.02).

Clearly further studies of a larger group would be required to confirm these findings. The interval between successive migraine headaches was calculated in the two cases with a follow up of more than 18 months (Figure 1). It would appear that there may be a trend of increasing intervals between migraines with repeated use of the goggles. No adverse reactions were reported. The patients described the effect of using the VFP goggles as calming and relaxing.

COMMENT
A preliminary study of a slow wave photic stimulation in the treatment of headache reported relief of muscle contraction headaches but no relief of migraine (Solomon 1985). The Dzidra Glass in that trial was used for 5 minutes and the author speculated that longer treatment periods might improve results. The findings described in this present study suggest that longer treatment periods are effective in the treatment of migraine headache, patients using the VFP goggles for a median of 30 minutes.

Other factors may have contributed to the difference in findings. The Dzidra Glass operates in the frequency range of 1 to 3 Hz, whilst the VFP goggles operate in the frequency range of 0.5 to 50 Hz. Patients report using the VFP goggles in the higher frequency range, and that relief is more rapid when they do so.

Patients tended to use the VFP goggles at the brightest setting. At one stage a set of VFP goggles producing a lower intensity of illumination was substituted in two of the cases. Both reported an increase in the time taken to stop the migraine headaches. When the higher intensity of illumination model was used again, relief took a shorter time.

The patient controls the frequency and intensity of illumination and this is a factor which should be investigated further.

The mechanism of action of the VFP goggles on the migraine headaches remains unknown. Red stroboscopic light tends to produce rapid and powerful alpha brain rhythms in the occipital cortex (Lewis 1986). The VFP goggles have a similar effect. ( Anderson unpublished observations). Alpha enhancement autogenic training has been used in the treatment of migraine with a reduction in the number of migraine headaches per week but with no change in the intensity, duration or disability of the headache (Cohen et al. 1980). A causal relationship between the induction of the occipital alpha rhythm and the stopping of a migraine headache, once started, has not been established.

This pilot study showed good efficacy for the VFP goggles in the treatment of migraine headache in a limited number of patients. Clearly further studies are required to confirm this preliminary study in a placebo controlled manner.

Acknowledgments: Thanks are due to Dr. W.J. Love and Dr. A.D. Mone for permission to include results from their patients in this paper and to Dr. P. Canfield for his valuable advice.

REFERENCES

• Blau JN: Towards a definition of migraine headache. Lancet 1:444-445, 1984.
• Cohen MJ, McArthur DL, Rickles WH: Comparison of four biofeedback treatments for migraine headache: physiological and headache variables. Psychosomatic Med 42:463-480, 1980.
• Lewis D: The alpha plan. London , Methuen , 1986. p 26.
• Solomon GD: Slow wave photic stimulation in the treatment of headache - a preliminary study. Headache 25: 444-446, 1985

The Dezac Group has established itself as one of the leading manufacturers of health, beauty and fitness products worldwide, under the Rio brand. Our products are used and enjoyed throughout Europe as well as in Japan, America, Australia, South Africa and many other countries too. The enthusiasm and support for Rio has enabled the company to develop a range of complementary products each offering something different to the user.

The company was established in 1989 to provide a cleaner air in the home, with its unique range of Ionisers. Since then, it has been at the forefront of innovation and design. Its broad range of products now include body toners for every area of the body, beauty products for the nails, airbrush tanning, tattoos, skin camouflage creams, Pilates fitness equipment, personal health products for migraines, cold sores, back pain and head lice, whilst still producing ionisers and air purifiers.

The Dezac Group won the coveted Business of the Year Award 2001. The Group was also a finalist for Environmental & Product Innovation Awards in 2000 & 2001 reflecting our philosophy of attention to detail, rethinking and questioning traditional methods and our strong eco-friendly stance.

Evident in each product is the quality, performance and styling you would expect from a UK company which manufactures in the beautiful and peaceful Royal Forest of Dean. The inspiration that this idyllic setting brings is, we hope, found in our products and appreciated by those who use them.