Research library

Explore The Science Behind Red Light Therapy

Browse existing research summaries on red light therapy and photobiomodulation.

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2025PUBLICATION

Measuring Light Dose In Photodynamic Therapy

Timothy C. Zhu; Brian W. Pogue; Andreea Dimofte; Jarod C. Finlay; Lothar Lilge; Ulas Sunar; Charles B. Simone II; Robert L. P. van Veen

AAPM technical guidance explains how detector calibration, tissue scattering and treatment geometry affect light-dose measurement in photodynamic therapy. It does not test home red light therapy benefits.

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2025PUBLICATION
Muscle recoverySystematic review and meta-analysis

Light Therapy Before Exercise: A Muscle Recovery Review

Murilo S Canez; Lucielen I da Silva; Gustavo D Ferreira; Francisco X de Araújo; Lisiane P Luza

A 2025 review found low-certainty evidence of reduced muscle soreness with photobiomodulation before exercise. The review covered three recovery approaches; this summary is based on the indexed abstract.

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2024PUBLICATION
Wound healingRandomised trial

Wound Healing

Cardoso, V. S., Silveira, P. R. S. L., Dos Santos, C. M., et al.

This randomised, placebo-controlled study involving 80 participants examined the relationship between different doses of photobiomodulation, used alongside standard wound care, and changes in the size of diabetic foot ulcers.

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2019PUBLICATION
Joint painSystematic review and meta-analysis

Pain And Physical Function In Knee Osteoarthritis

Stausholm, M. B., Naterstad, I. F., Joensen, J., et al.

This systematic review and meta-analysis combines randomised, placebo-controlled studies involving participants with knee osteoarthritis and evaluates reported outcomes relating to pain and physical function following low-level light therapy.

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2017PUBLICATION

Inflammatory Processes

Hamblin, M. R.

This scientific review evaluates cellular, animal, and human studies examining the effects of photobiomodulation on biological processes associated with oxidative stress and inflammation.

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2017PUBLICATION
CirculationPreclinical study

Blood Circulation And Vascular Responses

Keszler, A., Lindemer, B., Weihrauch, D., et al.

This experimental study examined the effects of red and near-infrared light on vascular tissue, nitric oxide-related mechanisms, and vasodilation. These findings do not directly demonstrate a treatment outcome or clinical benefit in humans.

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2016PUBLICATION
Muscle recoveryRandomised trial

Post-Exercise Muscle Recovery

Paiva, P. R. V., Tomazoni, S. S., Johnson, D. S., et al.

In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 50 healthy men, muscle strength, post-exercise muscle soreness, and selected markers of muscle damage were evaluated in participants receiving photobiomodulation. The results showed differences between the intervention and control groups.

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2013PUBLICATION

Light Therapy For Skin: A Review Of Early Evidence

Pinar Avci; Asheesh Gupta; Magesh Sadasivam; Daniela Vecchio; Zeev Pam; Nadav Pam; Michael R. Hamblin

A 2013 narrative review examines laboratory and early clinical evidence for light therapy in skin. Findings vary by condition and protocol; the paper does not establish a universal home-treatment dose.

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2008PUBLICATION
Low-back painSystematic review and meta-analysis

Low-Level Laser Therapy For Low-Back Pain: Uncertain Evidence

Yousefi-Nooraie R; Schonstein E; Heidari K; Rashidian A; Pennick V; Akbari-Kamrani M; Irani S; Shakiba B; Mortaz Hejri S; Jonaidi A-R; Mortaz-Hedjri S

A 2008 Cochrane review of seven small trials found insufficient evidence to establish the clinical effect of low-level laser therapy for nonspecific low-back pain. Protocols and comparison treatments varied.

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