From the Guidelines
Photobiomodulation (PBM) is used in medicine to promote tissue healing, reduce pain and inflammation, and improve cellular function through the application of low-level light therapy, with the most recent and highest quality evidence supporting its use in various medical applications, including wound healing, pain management, and dermatological conditions 1.
Introduction to Photobiomodulation
Photobiomodulation is a non-invasive treatment that utilizes specific wavelengths of light (typically red or near-infrared, 600-1000nm) to stimulate cellular processes without generating heat or damaging tissues.
Mechanism of Action
The therapy works by interacting with mitochondria in cells, increasing ATP production, modulating reactive oxygen species, activating transcription factors, and improving blood flow.
Medical Applications
Common medical applications of photobiomodulation include:
- Wound healing
- Pain management for conditions like arthritis and neuropathy
- Reducing inflammation
- Improving muscle recovery
- Treating oral mucositis in cancer patients
- Addressing dermatological conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, as supported by guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis 1
Treatment Protocols
Treatment protocols typically involve sessions of 5-30 minutes applied directly to the affected area, with frequency ranging from daily to weekly depending on the condition being treated.
Safety and Precautions
While generally considered safe with minimal side effects, patients should consult healthcare providers before beginning treatment, especially those with photosensitivity or certain cancers, as cautioned in the guidelines for the management of atopic dermatitis 1.
Recent Evidence
The most recent evidence, including a 2020 study on the European position paper on rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps, supports the use of photobiomodulation in various medical applications, including the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis 1. However, other recent studies, such as a 2024 review on radiotherapy in preclinical models of brain metastases, do not provide direct evidence for the use of photobiomodulation in medicine 1.
Recommendation
Based on the most recent and highest quality evidence, photobiomodulation is a recommended treatment for various medical applications, including wound healing, pain management, and dermatological conditions, due to its ability to promote tissue healing, reduce pain and inflammation, and improve cellular function 1.
From the Research
Medical Applications of Photobiomodulation (PBM)
Photobiomodulation (PBM) has various applications in medicine, including:
- Chronic wound repair: PBM imparts therapeutically significant benefits in the healing of chronic wounds by augmenting tissue regeneration and repair, mitigating inflammation, relieving pain, and reducing oxidative stress 2
- Pain management: PBM therapy has been shown to reduce inflammation and swelling, promote healing, and reduce pain for an array of musculoskeletal conditions, including non-specific knee pain, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia 3
- Tissue regeneration: PBM can regenerate damaged tissues such as wounds, bones, and tendons by stimulating the mitochondria and increasing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production 4
- Oral conditions: PBM therapy has been used to promote tissue repair, reduce inflammation and pain in chemo- and radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis (OM) 5
Mechanisms of PBM
The mechanisms of PBM involve:
- Mitochondrial redox signaling: PBM can have apparently opposite effects on healthy and stressed cells, and can act as a preconditioning regimen and interact with exercise on muscles 4
- Activation of light or heat-gated ion channels: PBM can restore electron transport and increase mitochondrial membrane potential 4
- Stimulation of cellular proliferation, viability, and migration: PBM can induce signalling pathways that transmit signals to the nucleus for the transcription of genes for increased cellular proliferation, viability, and migration in numerous cell types, including stem cells and fibroblasts 2
Clinical Applications of PBM
PBM has been used in various clinical settings, including:
- Rehabilitation medicine: PBM therapy can be used as a non-invasive, safe, drug-free, and side-effect-free method for pain relief of both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions 3
- Oncology: PBM therapy can be used to promote tissue repair, reduce inflammation and pain in chemo- and radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis (OM) 5
- Dermatology: PBM can be used to promote wound healing and tissue regeneration in chronic wounds 2