Science & Studies

What does the research say about Red Light Therapy?

With over 4000 basic science research and clinical studies according to pubmed.gov, and low complication rate, LLLT / Light Therapy / Red Light Therapy is now known as a first-line treatment option for conditions like acute neck or back pain, tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, mild carpal tunnel syndrome, and ligamentous sprains... among others.

Need more proof regarding the incredible capabilities of LED Phototherapy?

Please check out our comprehensive guide to light therapy, Light Medicine, Happier, Healthier, Stronger with LED Phototherapy in our shop. The guide highlights dozens of studies proving the effectiveness of infrared and red light therapy for 30 conditions related to cellular health, pain & inflammation and skin repair and will help you determine how to use light therapy best for yourself.

Below are links to our favorite studies demonstrating the effects of Red Light and Infrared Therapy - over 100 cases providing depth and understanding as to why Light Medicine is one of the greatest discoveries in natural healing, wellness, and rejuvenation for both the mind and body.

Timeline

With over 4000 basic science research and clinical studies according to pubmed.gov, and low complication rate, LLLT should be considered as a first-line treatment option for conditions such as acute neck or back pain, tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, mild carpal tunnel sndrome, and ligamentos sprains

1903

Red light therapy first gained prominence in 1903, when Danish physicst Niels Ryberg Finsen was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicin and Physiology, for his pioneering work on the therapeutic and physiological effects of light treatment from artificial light sources and his invention of light therapy for skin tuberculosis.

1967

Hungarian physician, Endre Mester, developed the first low-level laser therapy device in 1967 and tested its effects on skin cancer. He later used the device to show the effects of laser light on wound healing processes. In the 1960s LED Therapy was being used for treatment of chronic pain, arthritis and associated conditions, joint rehabilitation, and soft-tissue injury along with other medical ailments in Eastern Europe and in the USA for equestrian rehabilitation.

1990

The study of Red light therapy grows vastly, with trials being done at leading research centers and institutions like . Many professional sports teams and athletes begin using LED therapy to aid in sports related injuries, and physical therapists discover recovery times up to 50 times faster than without Red light therapy.

2000

NASA discovers red light therapy is effective for treating pain while maintaining astronauts' muscle mass while in space, and reports a 40 percent improvement in musculoskeletal training injuries treated with the light-emitting diodes - and publishes a press release stating “NASA scientists have found that cells exposed to near-infrared light from LEDs, which is energy just outside the visible range, grow 150 to 200 percent faster than cells not stimulated by such light. The light arrays increase energy (ATP and nitric oxide) that speed up the healing process.”

2002

Despite being used effectively for nearly a decade the FDA approves the first low level laser therapy devices to treat inflammation, acne and pain

Science & Studies

History - Frieman, father of LLLT

Visible Light therapy vs. Near Infrared Light therapy
https://www.mamanatural.com/near-infrared-sauna/

History, Mechanism, Dose, Mitochondrial, Antinflammatory
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5215870/

Sunlight Incidence, Vitamin D Deficiency, and Alzheimer's Disease
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5454613/

Artificial Light and Cancer - Mal Illumination
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5454613/

Artificial Light and Obesity
https://www.nature.com/articles/ijo2015255
https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/180/3/245/2739112
Light at night clock and metabolism
https://academic.oup.com/edrv/article/35/4/648/2354673

History, Mechanism, Dose, Mitochondrial, Antinflammatory
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5215870/
Hair Loss

Wound Healing, dairy cattle, cat tongue
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9068161
 https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/7762/57f1debd12c652310bd11d8d53cfc5052c61.pdf
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312142584_The_photobiomodulation_effect_of_higher-fluence_808- nm_laser_therapy_with_a_flattop_handpiece_on_the_wound_healing_of_the_earthworm_Dendrobaena_veneta_a_brief_report

Wound healing LED shows significant speed of recovery with 633nm.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16581685

Scarring
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26741110

Dermal Abrasions
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3766381/

Stroke
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27345389
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3538543/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17463313/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17678491/

Osteoporosis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28846932

Transcranial effect of LED
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273781132_Red_and_NIR_light_dosimetry_in_the_human_deep_brain

Brain Injury 
 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229161498_Transcranial_low_level_laser_light_therapy_for_traumatic_brain_injury
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17439348
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3397203/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11059663

Sleep
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12811613
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12811613

Testosterone replacement
http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/96971683/effects-low-level-laser-therapy-red%20and%20near-infrared%20light-testis-elevating-serum-testosterone-level-rats
Headache Light therapy modulates serotonin levels and blood flow in women with headache. A preliminary study.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26202374

Dermal Abrasions
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3766381/

Tendonitis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/226734405

Fibromayalgia
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24801056

Effectiveness of low-level laser therapy on pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, and SF-MPQ indexes of women with myofascial pain. :10.11607/ofph.2032. Epub 2018 Apr 25.

Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Myofascial Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29697718

Acne:
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16468292
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28232927

Comparison of Red and Infrared Low-level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris.
. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22615511

Sunlight Incidence, Vitamin D Deficiency, and Alzheimer's Disease.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5454613/

Depression Long term study
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4556873/

Psychological benefits 2 and 4 weeks after a single treatment with near infrared light to the forehead: a pilot study of 10 patients with major depression and anxiety:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19995444

Transcranial Laser Stimulation as Neuroenhancement for Attention Bias Modification in Adults with Elevated Depression Symptoms.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27267860

Low-Level Laser Irradiation Improves Depression-Like Behaviors in Mice.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27379735

Dementia
Saltmarche AE, Naeser MA, Ho KF, Hamblin MR, Lim L. Significant Improvement in Cognition in Mild to Moderately Severe Dementia Cases Treated with Transcranial Plus Intranasal Photobiomodulation: Case Series Report. Photomed Laser Surg. 2017;35(8):432-441
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28186867
dementia, memory, mood
General Brain Health & Cognitive Performance. 

Transcranial infrared laser stimulation produces beneficial cognitive and emotional effects in humans.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23200785

Shining light on the head: Photobiomodulation for brain disorders
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5066074/

Significant Improvement in Cognition in Mild to Moderately Severe Dementia Cases Treated with Transcranial Plus Intranasal Photobiomodulation
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5568598/
Review of transcranial photobiomodulation for major depressive disorder: targeting brain metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurogenesis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4777909/
Emotional responses and memory performance of middle-aged CD1 mice in a 3D maze: Effects of low infrared light
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1074742707001153

Improving executive function using transcranial infrared laser stimulation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26017772
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26535475

Cognitive enhancement by transcranial laser stimulation and acute aerobic exercise.
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27220529

Neurological and psychological applications of transcranial lasers and LEDs.
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23806754

Alzheimers Disease
Low-Level Laser Therapy Ameliorates Disease Progression in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263742704_Low- Level_Laser_Therapy_Ameliorates_Disease_Progression_in_a_Mouse_Model_of_Alzheimer's_Disease

Photobiomodulation with near infrared light mitigates Alzheimer's disease-related pathology in cerebral cortex - evidence from two transgenic mouse models.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24387311

Low-level laser therapy rescues dendrite atrophy via upregulating BDNF expression: implications for Alzheimer's disease.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23946409

Bipolar
Is bipolar disorder an inflammatory condition?
The relevance of microglial activation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23196997

Arthritis
mice subjected to acute arthritis condition.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28772237

Effect of low-level laser therapy on the expression of inflammatory mediators and on neutrophils and macrophages in acute joint inflammation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24028507

Bell's Palsy -
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4322014/

Testosterone
The effects of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on the testis in elevating serum testosterone level in rats http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/96971683/effects-low-level-lasertherapy-red%20and%20near-infrared%20light-testis-elevating-serum-testosterone-level-rats

Aging Skin
Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism In VitroUsing a Pulsed 660 nm LED Light Source: Clinical Correlation with a Single- Blinded Study
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15341749

Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4126803/

ORAL HEALTH
Low Level Laser Therapy: A Panacea for oral maladies
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4639680/

NUTS AND BOLTS OF LLLT - Survey of Basically Everything treated by LLLT
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3288797/

MECHANISM OF ACTION OF LLLT - dose, etc. Biphasic Dose Response in Low Level Light
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2790317/
How Mitochondria absorb visible light
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237089612_The_role_of_nitric_oxide_in_low_level_light_therapy

REVERSAL OF AGING USING RED LIGHT AND NEAR-INFRARED LIGHT THERAPY
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.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24286286
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5332991/

Effects of radiofrequency, electroacupuncture, and low-level laser therapy on the wrinkles and moisture content of the forehead, eyes, and cheeks Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24049929
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4126803/

ELIMINATION OF FAT
Low-Level Laser Therapy for Fat Layer Reduction: A Comprehensive Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3769994/

“Overweight and obesity.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2007). Available:
https://www.cdc.gov/onsidty/data/ad/ult.html

Sene-fiorense M, Duarte FO, De aquino junior, et al. The potential of phototherapy to reduce body fat, insulin resistance and “metabolic inflexibility” related to obesity in women undergoing weight loss treatment. Lasers Sung Med. 2015;47(7):634-42
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26220050

Ger Med Sci. 2006 Jul 11:4; Doc05. Influence of water-filtered infrared-A (wiRA) on reduction of local fat and body weight by physical exercise. Mockel F, Hoffman G, Obermuller R, Drobnik W,Schmitz G.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2703221/

Mcrae E, Boris J. Independent evaluation of low-level laser therapy 635nm for non-invasive body contouring of the waist, hips and thighs. Lasers Surg Med. 2013;45(1):1-7.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23355338

635nm - 660nm for Fat Loss
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5225499/

Low-Level Laser Therapy for Fat Layer Reduction: A Comprehensive Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3769994/

Health After Cancer
Warburg O. Uber den Stoffweschsel der Hefe. Pp253-254
Bianconi E., Piovesan A, Facchin F, et al. An estimation of the number of cells in the human body. Ann Hun Biol 2013:40(6):463-71
 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/306325596_Revised_Estimates_for_the_Number_of_Human_and_Bacteria_Cells_in_the_Body

 Li, Y., Park, JS., Deng, JH. Et al. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV is useful for assembly and respiratory function of the enzyme complex. J Bioenerg, Biomember (2006)38;283
85. Brown GC, Borutalite V. Nitric Oxide, cytochrome c, and mitochondria. Biochem Soc. Symp. 1999:66;17-25
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10989653

LIGHT MEDICINE AND ANIMALS
Therapeutic photobiomodulation: nitric oxide and a novel function of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21356170

Inflammation in general:
Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28748217

An investigation into the depth of penetration of low level laser therapy through the equine tendon in vivo
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3113823/

EYE HEALTH AND WOUND HEALING
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26427443

Photobiomodulation for the treatment of retinal diseases: a review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4768515/

Photobiomodulation reduces drusen volume and improves visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in dry age‐related macular degeneration
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11845369
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16120414

Mitochondrial signal transduction in accelerated wound and retinal healing by near-infrared light therapy.

Effect of equal daily doses achieved by different power densities of low-level laser therapy at 635 nm on open skin wound healing in normal and diabetic rats.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24551842/

Viral Warts
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269749233 
PULSED_DYE_LASER_TREATMENT_FOR_RECALCITRANT_VIRAL_WARTS_AUTO-SIMULTANEOUS_LASER_TREATMENT

Plantar Warts
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16942430?dopt=Citation

Herpes
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16780494?dopt=Citation
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4751092/

Dermatitis

Cleber Ferraresi et al. 2012
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23626925

Does Phototherapy Enhance Skeletal Muscle Contractile Function and Postexercise Recovery? A Systematic Review. Paul A Borsa et al. 2013

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3554033/

Photobiomodulation therapy for the improvement of muscular performance and reduction of muscular fatigue associated with exercise in healthy people: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29090398

Photobiomodulation Therapy Improves Performance and Accelerates Recovery of High-Level Rugby Players in Field Test: A Randomized, Crossover, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study. Pinto HD et al. 2016
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27050245

Light-emitting diode therapy in exercise-trained mice increases muscle performance, cytochrome c oxidase activity, ATP and cell proliferation. Ferraresi C et al. 2016
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25378263

Effects of Light-Emitting Diode Therapy on Muscle Hypertrophy, Gene Expression, Performance, Damage, and Delayed- Onset Muscle Soreness: Case-control Study with a Pair of Identical Twins. Ferraresi C et al. 2016
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27088469

Diabetic Neuropathy
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4639677/
116.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7272502_Improved_foot_sensitivity_and_pain_reduction_in_patients_with_peripheral_neuropathy_after_treatment_with_monochromatic_infrared_photo_energy_-
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