Primary Studies
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830 nm light-emitting diode (led) phototherapy significantly reduced return-to-play in injured university athletes: a pilot study.
By Foley
• 2016
• Journal: Laser Ther
Abstract: “Over a 15-month period, a total of 395 injuries including sprains, strains, ligament damage, tendonitis and contusions were treated” “The average LED-mediated RTP in the 65 subjects was significantly shorter at 9.6 days, compared with the mean anticipated RTP of 19.23 days (p = 0.0066, paired two-tailed Student’s t-test). “A subjective satisfaction survey was carried out among the 112 students with injuries incurred from January to May, 2015. Eighty-eight (78.5%) were either very satisfied or satisfied, and only 8 (7.2%) were dissatisfied.”
One Sentence Outcome:LED phototherapy was associated with a shorter return-to-play time in injured university athletes, including sprains, strains, ligament damage, tendonitis and contusions.
Study Parameters:Human Single-arm (retrospective?) 65 participants ⌛ ~1-2 weeks per patient; Sessions: 3-6 on average; Treatment time: 1200 sec
Device Parameters: Wavelength: 830 nm; Irradiance: 0.05 W/cm²; Dose: 60 J/cm²
Evidence Level:Pilot study|Retrospective clinical study
Study Type: Human Single-arm (retrospective?) 65 participants ⌛ ~1-2 weeks per patient
Outcome Direction: Positive
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A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials on the Effects of Photobiomodulation Therapy on Running Performance
By do Nascimento
• 2024
• Journal: Int J Exerc Sci
Abstract:
One Sentence Outcome:A meta-analysis of randomized trials found no significant overall improvement in running performance from PBM alone or with training, highlighting mixed sports-performance evidence.
Study Parameters:Meta-analysis
Device Parameters: Wavelength: “Twelve studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. No significant effects in favor of PBM were found (SMD = 0.13; p = 0.11). There was no effect considering the presence (SMD = 0.16; p = 0.38) and absence (SMD = 0.11; p = 0.25) of training, and there was no dose-response effect (p = 0.82).” “Our findings indicate that PBM alone or combined with a training program does not improve running performance in terms of time-trial and time-to-exhaustion testing. More studies involving PBM plus training and doses higher than 1000 J are needed to determine if PBM is effective in improving running performance.” nm
Evidence Level:Meta-analysis
Study Type: Meta-analysis
Outcome Direction: Positive
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Effects of High Intensity Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Tendon and Ligament Injuries in Performance Horses
By Zielińska
• 2020
• Journal: Animals (Basel)
Abstract: “After the treatment, pain, swelling and lameness were significantly improved by HILT compared with the control group (p = 0.023, 0.008 and 0.044, respectively). No significant changes were found in lesion echogenicity degree between both groups in measurements taken during treatment (p = 0.188) and after treatment (p = 0.070). For lesion percentage reduction, the statistical modelling showed a significant improvement in the HILT group compared with the control group during (p = 0.038) and after treatment (p = 0.019). In conclusion, HILT promoted analgesic and anti-oedema effects, with visual lameness reduction in horses with tendon and ligament injuries, and reduced lesion percentage but did not influence change in lesion echogenicity.”
One Sentence Outcome:High-intensity laser therapy was associated with improved pain, swelling, lameness and lesion reduction in performance horses with tendon and ligament injuries.
Study Parameters:Horse
Device Parameters: Wavelength: 808+ 980 nm
Evidence Level:Veterinary clinical study
Study Type: Horse
Outcome Direction: Mixed / null
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Short- and long term follow-up of 150 sports horses diagnosed with tendinopathy or desmopathy by ultrasonographic examination and treated with high-power laser therapy
By Pluim
• 2018
• Journal: Res Vet Sci
Abstract: “Notwithstanding the wide variability in lameness score at admission, there was a statistically significant overall improvement in both lameness and ultrasonographic scores the day after cessation of laser therapy (week 2) and 4 weeks later (week 6), across all types and stages of tendinopathy or desmopathy and both for horses diagnosed with a single disorder and for horses suffering from multiple causes of lameness. The lack of a control group precludes drawing of any conclusions about causal effects, but this finding can be considered quite interesting, as the improvement manifests after a much shorter time interval than described in literature for other treatment modalities.” Comment: Dose parameters not reported.
One Sentence Outcome:In 150 sports horses with tendinopathy or desmopathy treated with high-power laser therapy, lameness and ultrasonographic scores improved over short-term follow-up, although causality is limited by lack of a control group.
Study Parameters:Horse
Device Parameters: Wavelength: 635+ 660+ 810+ 980 nm
Evidence Level:Veterinary clinical study
Study Type: Horse
Outcome Direction: Positive
Supplemental Studies
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Photobiomodulation Therapy Modulates Inflammatory and Cartilage Biomarkers in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Case Series
By Ferreira
• 2026
• Journal: J Orthop Case Rep
Abstract: “PBMT demonstrates beneficial local and systemic effects on inflammatory and cartilage degradation pathways in KOA, supporting its potential as an adjunctive therapeutic strategy. Larger controlled clinical trials are warranted to confirm these findings and establish standardized treatment parameters.”
One Sentence Outcome:”PBMT demonstrates beneficial local and systemic effects on inflammatory and cartilage degradation pathways in KOA, supporting its potential as an adjunctive therapeutic strategy. Larger controlled clinical trials are warranted to confirm these findings…
Study Parameters:Area: -; Time: 300- 480; Sessions: 10 / 5 weeks; Notes: Systemic effects LED phototherapy
Device Parameters: Wavelength: 850; Power: -; Irradiance: 0.060- 0.100; Fluence: -; Energy: 526- 1402
Evidence Level:Randomized controlled trial
Study Type: Human Case series (secondary publication) 20 cases (a case series is derived from a previously published randomized trial, Pinto et al. 2022)
Outcome Direction: Unclear / review
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Optimizing LED photobiomodulation parameters to prevent cartilage matrix degradation in knee osteoarthritis: in vitro and in vivo study
By Fan
• 2025
• Journal: J Orthop Surg Res
Abstract: “LED therapy at 940 nm with 52 J/cm2 attenuates ECM degradation and pain in KOA, defining a target LED parameter set for potential clinical translation.”
One Sentence Outcome:”LED therapy at 940 nm with 52 J/cm2 attenuates ECM degradation and pain in KOA, defining a target LED parameter set for potential clinical translation.”
Study Parameters:Notes: LED phototherapy Wavelength comparison
Device Parameters: Wavelength: 810 940 (in vivo) 625 810 940 1050 (in vitro)
Evidence Level:Preclinical / animal study
Study Type: Mouse + In vitro
Outcome Direction: Unclear / review
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Low-level laser therapy for zymosan-induced arthritis in rats: Importance of illumination time.
By
• 2007
• Journal: Lasers Surg Med
Abstract: LLLT was highly effective in treating inflammatory arthritis in this model. Longer illumination times were more effective than short times regardless of total fluence or irradiance.
One Sentence Outcome:Photobiomodulation showed beneficial effects on arthritis-related inflammation, pain, or joint function.
Study Parameters:Sessions: 5
Device Parameters: λ 810 nm
Evidence Level:Preclinical animal study
Study Type: Rat
Outcome Direction: Positive / supportive PBM outcome
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Low level laser therapy for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: a metaanalysis.
By Brosseau L; Welch V; Wells G; de Bie R; Gam A; Harman K; Morin M; Shea B; Tugwell P
• 2000
• Journal: J Rheumatol
Abstract: Meta-analysis of low-level laser therapy for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The authors concluded that LLLT should be considered for short-term relief of pain and morning stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis, while osteoarthritis results were conflicting and appeared dependent on application method and treatment parameters.
One Sentence Outcome:The review found stronger short-term support for rheumatoid arthritis pain and stiffness relief than for osteoarthritis, emphasizing that treatment parameters likely influence outcomes.
Study Parameters:Meta-analysis of randomized/controlled arthritis trials evaluating pain, stiffness, and functional outcomes.
Device Parameters: Low-level laser therapy across included trials; parameters varied by wavelength, dose, treatment duration, and site of application.
Evidence Level:Level 1a (systematic review/meta-analysis)
Study Type: Meta-analysis
Outcome Direction: Mixed / condition-dependent
