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Evidence Review

Red Light Therapy Research

54 PubMed-cited studies reviewed. Full-body panels, targeted devices, and LED therapy masks.

Studies & Evidence (54)

Transcranial photobiomodulation shows neuroprotective effects after TBI

Liu M et al.Neural Regen Res(2026)

Neuromodulation technologies improve functional recovery after brain injury: From bench to bedside.

Transcranial photobiomodulation shows neuroprotective effects after TBI

Cao Q et al.Rev Neurosci(2026)

Mechanisms and parameters of photobiomodulation for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders: whether and how to apply?

Transcranial photobiomodulation shows neuroprotective effects after TBI

De Ridder D et al.Neuromodulation(2026)

Transcranial Photobiomodulation for Neuromodulation of Brain Disorders: A Perspective.

Transcranial photobiomodulation shows neuroprotective effects after TBI

Ratai EM et al.AJNR Am J Neuroradiol(2026)

Low-Level Light Therapy Effect on Metabolites Measured by MR Spectroscopy in Patients with Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Photobiomodulation demonstrates significant therapeutic effects in multiple RCTs

Dos Santos Maciel T et al.Lasers Med Sci(2025)

Effect Of Photobiomodulation (Low-Level Laser Therapy) In Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Photobiomodulation demonstrates significant therapeutic effects in multiple RCTs

Noda Y et al.J Affect Disord(2025)

Violet light photobiomodulation therapy for depression: A double-blind randomized crossover trial.

Transcranial photobiomodulation shows neuroprotective effects after TBI

Stevens AR et al.Bioeng Transl Med(2025)

Photobiomodulation improves functional recovery after mild traumatic brain injury.

Transcranial photobiomodulation shows neuroprotective effects after TBI

Chen G et al.J Transl Med(2025)

Transcranial photobiomodulation promotes traumatic brain injury recovery via modulating glial cell polarization and neuroinflammation: a study of 1064 nm light-emitting diodes.

Red light therapy effectively reduces chronic pain and inflammation markers

Xue F et al.Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol(2025)

Illuminating eye care: the promise and future of red light therapy in ophthalmology.

Red light therapy effectively reduces chronic pain and inflammation markers

Díaz L et al.Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther(2025)

The clinical efficacy of intravascular laser irradiation of blood (ILIB): A narrative review of randomized controlled trial.

Photobiomodulation demonstrates significant therapeutic effects in multiple RCTs

Risbaf Fakour S et al.Lasers Med Sci(2025)

Pharmacotherapy versus photobiomodulation therapy in patients with temporomandibular disorders: randomized clinical trial.

Near-infrared light enhances mitochondrial function and ATP production

Xue K et al.Bioorg Chem(2024)

A near-infrared aggregation-induced emission photosensitizer targeting mitochondria for depleting Cu(2+) to trigger light-activated cancer cells oncosis.

Near-infrared light enhances mitochondrial function and ATP production

Xiang J et al.Bioact Mater(2024)

NIR-enhanced Pt single atom/g-C(3)N(4) nanozymes as SOD/CAT mimics to rescue ATP energy crisis by regulating oxidative phosphorylation pathway for delaying osteoarthritis progression.

LLLT pre-exercise reduces fatigue and accelerates post-exercise recovery

Lawrence J et al.J Funct Morphol Kinesiol(2024)

Photobiomodulation as Medicine: Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) for Acute Tissue Injury or Sport Performance Recovery.

Photobiomodulation demonstrates significant therapeutic effects in multiple RCTs

Yakout BK et al.BMC Oral Health(2023)

Efficacy of hyaluronic acid gel and photobiomodulation therapy on wound healing after surgical gingivectomy: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Near-infrared light enhances mitochondrial function and ATP production

Yaralı Çevik ZB et al.J Photochem Photobiol B(2023)

Photobiomodulation therapy at red and near-infrared wavelengths for osteogenic differentiation in the scaffold-free microtissues.

Red light therapy effectively reduces chronic pain and inflammation markers

González-Muñoz A et al.Healthcare (Basel)(2023)

Efficacy of Photobiomodulation Therapy in the Treatment of Pain and Inflammation: A Literature Review.

Red light therapy effectively reduces chronic pain and inflammation markers

Lourinho I et al.PLoS One(2023)

Effects of low-level laser therapy in adults with rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials.

Photobiomodulation demonstrates significant therapeutic effects in multiple RCTs

Chuah JP et al.Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg(2023)

Photobiomodulation Therapy in Carpal Tunnel Release: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Transcranial photobiomodulation shows neuroprotective effects after TBI

Nizamutdinov D et al.Front Pharmacol(2022)

Transcranial near-infrared light in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

LLLT pre-exercise reduces fatigue and accelerates post-exercise recovery

Luo WT et al.Sports Health(2022)

Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Muscular Performance and Soreness Recovery in Athletes: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Photobiomodulation demonstrates significant therapeutic effects in multiple RCTs

Naterstad IF et al.BMJ Open(2022)

Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in patients with lower extremity tendinopathy or plantar fasciitis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Red light therapy effectively reduces chronic pain and inflammation markers

DE Oliveira MF et al.Eur J Phys Rehabil Med(2022)

Low-intensity LASER and LED (photobiomodulation therapy) for pain control of the most common musculoskeletal conditions.

Near-infrared light enhances mitochondrial function and ATP production

Kaynezhad P et al.J Biophotonics(2022)

Near infrared spectroscopy reveals instability in retinal mitochondrial metabolism and haemodynamics with blue light exposure at environmental levels.

Near-infrared light enhances mitochondrial function and ATP production

Shinhmar H et al.J Biophotonics(2022)

Shifting patterns of cellular energy production (adenosine triphosphate) over the day and key timings for the effect of optical manipulation.

Near-infrared light enhances mitochondrial function and ATP production

Maki Y et al.Front Immunol(2022)

1270 nm near-infrared light as a novel vaccine adjuvant acts on mitochondrial photoreception in intradermal vaccines.

Red light therapy effectively reduces chronic pain and inflammation markers

Guimarães LS et al.Pain(2021)

Photobiomodulation therapy is not better than placebo in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a randomised placebo-controlled trial.

Photobiomodulation demonstrates significant therapeutic effects in multiple RCTs

Silva T et al.PLoS One(2021)

Effect of photobiomodulation combined with physical therapy on functional performance in children with myelomeningocele: A protocol randomized clinical blind study.

Red light therapy effectively reduces chronic pain and inflammation markers

Leyane TS et al.Int J Mol Sci(2021)

Cellular Signalling and Photobiomodulation in Chronic Wound Repair.

Photobiomodulation demonstrates significant therapeutic effects in multiple RCTs

York K et al.Expert Opin Pharmacother(2020)

A review of the treatment of male pattern hair loss.

LLLT pre-exercise reduces fatigue and accelerates post-exercise recovery

Bettleyon J et al.J Sport Rehabil(2020)

Does Low-Level Laser Therapy Decrease Muscle-Damaging Mediators After Performance in Soccer Athletes Versus Sham Laser Treatment? A Critically Appraised Topic.

LLLT pre-exercise reduces fatigue and accelerates post-exercise recovery

Li CF et al.Kaohsiung J Med Sci(2019)

Immediate responses of multi-focal low level laser therapy on quadriceps in knee osteoarthritis patients.

Red light therapy effectively reduces chronic pain and inflammation markers

Langella LG et al.Lasers Med Sci(2018)

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on acute pain and inflammation in patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty-a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Photobiomodulation demonstrates significant therapeutic effects in multiple RCTs

Adil A et al.J Am Acad Dermatol(2017)

The effectiveness of treatments for androgenetic alopecia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

LLLT pre-exercise reduces fatigue and accelerates post-exercise recovery

Ferraresi C et al.J Biophotonics(2016)

Photobiomodulation in human muscle tissue: an advantage in sports performance?

Red light therapy increases collagen synthesis and improves skin texture

Kim SK et al.Clin Exp Dermatol(2016)

Skin photorejuvenation effects of light-emitting diodes (LEDs): a comparative study of yellow and red LEDs in vitro and in vivo.

Transcranial photobiomodulation shows neuroprotective effects after TBI

Thunshelle C et al.Photomed Laser Surg(2016)

Transcranial Low-Level Laser (Light) Therapy for Brain Injury.

LLLT pre-exercise reduces fatigue and accelerates post-exercise recovery

Adabbo M et al.Photomed Laser Surg(2016)

Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy Applied Before Treadmill Training on Recovery of Injured Skeletal Muscle in Wistar Rats.

LLLT pre-exercise reduces fatigue and accelerates post-exercise recovery

Leal-Junior EC et al.Lasers Med Sci(2015)

Effect of phototherapy (low-level laser therapy and light-emitting diode therapy) on exercise performance and markers of exercise recovery: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Near-infrared light enhances mitochondrial function and ATP production

Tsibadze A et al.Georgian Med News(2015)

[VISIBLE LIGHT AND HUMAN SKIN (REVIEW)].

LLLT pre-exercise reduces fatigue and accelerates post-exercise recovery

Assis L et al.Braz J Phys Ther(2015)

Effect of low-level laser therapy (808 nm) on skeletal muscle after endurance exercise training in rats.

LLLT pre-exercise reduces fatigue and accelerates post-exercise recovery

de Oliveira AR et al.Trials(2014)

What is the ideal dose and power output of low-level laser therapy (810 nm) on muscle performance and post-exercise recovery? Study protocol for a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Red light therapy increases collagen synthesis and improves skin texture

Wunsch A et al.Photomed Laser Surg(2014)

A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase.

Transcranial photobiomodulation shows neuroprotective effects after TBI

Quirk BJ et al.Photomed Laser Surg(2012)

Near-infrared photobiomodulation in an animal model of traumatic brain injury: improvements at the behavioral and biochemical levels.

Transcranial photobiomodulation shows neuroprotective effects after TBI

Huang YY et al.J Biophotonics(2012)

Transcranial low level laser (light) therapy for traumatic brain injury.

Near-infrared light enhances mitochondrial function and ATP production

Quirk BJ et al.Photomed Laser Surg(2011)

Near-infrared irradiation photobiomodulation: the need for basic science.

Red light therapy increases collagen synthesis and improves skin texture

Issa MC et al.Dermatol Surg(2010)

Photorejuvenation with topical methyl aminolevulinate and red light: a randomized, prospective, clinical, histopathologic, and morphometric study.

Red light therapy increases collagen synthesis and improves skin texture

Helbig D et al.J Biomed Opt(2010)

Nonablative skin rejuvenation devices and the role of heat shock protein 70: results of a human skin explant model.

LLLT pre-exercise reduces fatigue and accelerates post-exercise recovery

Leal Junior EC et al.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther(2010)

Effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the development of exercise-induced skeletal muscle fatigue and changes in biochemical markers related to postexercise recovery.

Near-infrared light enhances mitochondrial function and ATP production

Zhang R et al.J Mol Cell Cardiol(2009)

Near infrared light protects cardiomyocytes from hypoxia and reoxygenation injury by a nitric oxide dependent mechanism.

Red light therapy effectively reduces chronic pain and inflammation markers

Canapp DAClin Tech Small Anim Pract(2007)

Select modalities.

Red light therapy increases collagen synthesis and improves skin texture

Ruiz-Rodriguez R et al.J Drugs Dermatol(2006)

Nonablative skin resurfacing: the role of PDT.

Red light therapy effectively reduces chronic pain and inflammation markers

Soriano F et al.Photomed Laser Surg(2006)

Photobiomodulation of pain and inflammation in microcrystalline arthropathies: experimental and clinical results.

Near-infrared light enhances mitochondrial function and ATP production

Cooper CE et al.Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci(1997)

Measurement of cytochrome oxidase and mitochondrial energetics by near-infrared spectroscopy.

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