Student research project
Light therapy in neurodegenerative disorders
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the clinical evidence.
The question
Can light-based interventions improve outcomes for people with neurodegenerative disorders? Clinical studies vary in their participants, interventions and outcomes, making the evidence difficult to interpret as a whole.
The project
Conduct a systematic review of light therapy in a defined neurodegenerative context. Assess what clinical studies support, where uncertainty remains, and whether differences in intervention reporting limit comparison.
What you will do
- Develop a review protocol, systematic searches and explicit screening criteria.
- Extract intervention and outcome information and assess risk of bias.
- Create a reproducible synthesis, using meta-analysis where appropriate and examining heterogeneity.
Possible scope
A thesis could cover a focused review from protocol to synthesis. An internship or Erasmus+ placement could focus on screening, extraction or an agreed analytical question. Clinical knowledge is welcome but not essential; careful interpretation of evidence matters.
How to apply
Send a short motivation, CV, relevant skills, preferred project, dates, format and location. Mention external funding. Contact Prof. Manuel Spitschan using the address below.
Location, timing and scope are agreed with the supervisor; availability depends on capacity and the work involved.