Research & Publications

Our research team and the scientific literature behind photobiomodulation.

Research Team

Content from our Photodynamics research presentation (pages 24 and 26). Our multidisciplinary research and clinical collaborators support evidence-based photobiomodulation protocols used in physician-supervised care.

Research team from Photodynamics presentation page 24
Research team overview (Photodynamics, page 24)
Research collaborators from Photodynamics presentation page 26
Research collaborators (Photodynamics, page 26)

Scientific Publications

Selected literature on photobiomodulation technology compiled from our clinical research library.

Photobiomodulation: Cellular, molecular, and clinical aspects.

Felician M. C. P. et al. · Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, 2023.

“Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a noninvasive photonic-based therapy, capable of dealing with immune-inflammatory, neurological, and musculoskeletal disorders, as well as healing oral and chronic skin wounds. During PBM light is applied at a specific wavelength, either in the visible or near-infrared (NIR) ranges. Photophysical and photochemical processes might stimulate or inhibit various biological processes, depending on the target tissue, the wavelength of light, irradiance, fluence, repetition rate (pulse frequency), spot size, optical data of the tissue to be irradiated and treatment regimen. There are several randomized clinical studies demonstrating the PBM benefits as main or adjuvant therapies.”

The combination of LLLT and efavirenz drastically reduces HIV infection in TZM-bl cells

Lugongolo, Masixole Yvonne et al. · Biomedical Journal, 2021

“Light gets absorbed by chromophores into the cell mitochondria via the cytochrome c oxidase, which is a primary photo-acceptor for the red and near infrared light range in mammalian cells. The absorption of light stimulates the electron transport chain, which leads to the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and release of nitric oxide (NO). ROS are the free radicals and reactive molecules that originate from molecular oxygen produced during electron transport as by products. It was presumed that these molecules only have damaging effects in cell components, however, recently it has been demonstrated that ROS play significant and beneficial roles in cell signaling processes and other physiological processes. The induction of these molecules by LLLT have positive effects as they induce transcription factors like nuclear factor Kappa B (NF-kB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1), which in turn promote gene expression, thereby increasing protein synthesis, cell proliferation, cell migration, production of cytokines and growth factors, as well as increased tissue oxygenation. Furthermore, the absorption of photons by mammalian cells regulates enzymatic activity and also balances both intracellular and extracellular pH.”

Mechanisms and Pathways of Pain Photobiomodulation: A Narrative Review.

Cheng K, Martin LF, Slepian MJ, Patwardhan AM, Ibrahim MM · Journal of Pain, 2021

“In recent years, evidence for the use of light therapy as a nonpharmacologic approach for pain reduction has gained momentum, and both preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated its efficacy and continue to explore its efficacy in a variety of pain syndromes.”

Low-Level Laser Treatment for Lower Back Pain

Candice Madakadze, and Sharon Bailey · Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health 2023

“Participants from the randomized double-blind sham-controlled study were followed up at 12 months to determine the effectiveness of the Erchonia FX 635, and showed the therapeutic effects of the laser therapy were maintained after a year”

Vascular photobiomodulation in the treatment of children with temporomandibular disorders: Study protocol for a randomized, controlled, blind, clinical trial.

Sertaje MRF, Gonçalves MLL, Gomes AO, et al. · Medicine (Baltimore), 2022

“Due to the high prevalence of children with TMD, we can treat this condition with ILIB, which is inexpensive, safe and has no side effects; there is also evidence on the systemic effect regarding the improvement in the body’s response in repair and inflammation, aiding in cases of decreased mandibular opening.”

Laser procedures in the treatment of BPH: a bibliometric study.

Reichelt, A.C., Suarez-Ibarrola, R., Herrmann, T.R.W. et al. · World Journal of Urology, 2021

“The introduction of laser technologies in recent years has enabled the development of new surgical techniques for the treatment of BPH and thus alternatives to conventional transurethral resection of the prostate.”

Lasers for Aesthetic and Functional Vaginal Rejuvenation.

de Assis Florentino, A.V., Lage Bicalho Bretas, T., Issa, M.C.A. · Lasers, Lights and Other Technologies. Clinical Approaches and Procedures in Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018

“Vaginal rejuvenation has been popped up recently due to the increase in life expectancy and the search for a better quality of life. Nowadays, women live one-third of their lives after menopause, demanding efforts to keep their sexual life up to their body and mind’s health. Advances in laser therapy have made this possible, reversing vulvovaginal atrophy and its symptoms, known as genitourinary syndrome of menopause, including vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, decrease in sexual arousal and orgasm, stress urinary incontinence, and vaginal bleeding. Carbon dioxide laser (CO2) and the erbium laser (Er:YAG) are the most common lasers used for female rejuvenation. They promote neocollagenesis and neovascularization in the connective tissue of the vaginal wall, as well as recover the mucosal epithelium, restoring lubrication and elasticity of vaginal walls.”

The Anti-Acne Effect of Near-Infrared Low-Level Laser Therapy.

Szymańska A, Budzisz E, Erkiert-Polguj A. · Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology 2021

Reverse skin aging signs by red light photobiomodulation.

Szymańska A, Budzisz E, Erkiert-Polguj A. · Aesthetic Surgery Journal 2023

Light as a Cure in COVID-19: A Challenge for Medicine.

Ailioaie LM, Ailioaie C, Litscher G. · Photonics. 2022

“This review revealed that Photobiomodulation has been successfully applied as adjunct therapy, in combination with conventional medical treatment, and as a pioneering action in SARS-CoV-2 infection, demonstrating significant improvements in airway inflammation and general clinical condition of patients, a faster recovery, avoiding intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization, mechanical ventilation, mortality, and overcoming long-term sequelae.”

Effect of exercise training with laser phototherapy on homeostasis balance resistant to hypercoagulability in seniors with obesity: a randomized trial.

Elsayed MM, Abdallah GA, Hassan SS, Nagy EN. · Scientific Reports 2023

“Laser phototherapy is an irradiation approach to the blood that has been used to handle many rheological, neurological, and metabolic cases by enhancing lipoprotein lipase manufacturing, vasodilator release, and microcirculation improvement, additionally reducing the risk of metabolic complications and obesity-related comorbidities through boosting anti-inflammatory mediators, reduction in fat deposits, and lower serum lipids.”

Low-level laser therapy for weight reduction: a randomized pilot study.

Croghan IT, Hurt RT, Schroeder DR, Fokken SC, Jensen MD, Clark MM, Ebbert JO. · Lasers in Medical Science 2020

“Providing 12 Low-level laser therapy treatments over the course of 6 weeks twice per week is effective for reducing body weight, BMI, body fat mass, and percent body fat as well as improving body satisfaction, body appreciation, and overall quality of life.”

Effect of Low level laser on abdominal obesity in women with lumbar disc prolapse: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Gamaleldin, Haytham & Nasef, Samy & Shaban, Ghada & Elaggan, Ashraf. · European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine 2021

“A combined treatment of Low-level laser therapy and diet may offer a safe and effective treatment modality for obese patients with lumbar disc prolapse.”

Diabetes in spotlight: current knowledge and perspectives of photobiomodulation utilization.

Perrier Q, Moro C, Lablanche S. · Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2024

The Effects of Blue Light on Human Fibroblasts and Diabetic Wound Healing.

Purbhoo-Makan M, Houreld NN, Enwemeka CS. · Life (Basel), 2022

“PBM at different wavelengths has shown positive results with regards to wound healing and fibroblast proliferation. It is also worth taking into consideration that red and NIR wavelengths have established beneficial effects in diabetic ulcer care.”

Efficacy of low level laser therapy on painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Cg SK, Maiya AG, Hande HM, Vidyasagar S, Rao K, Rajagopal KV. · Laser Therapy, 2015

“PBM at different wavelengths has shown positive results with regards to wound healing and fibroblast proliferation. It is also worth taking into consideration that red and NIR wavelengths have established beneficial effects in diabetic ulcer care.”

Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Autoimmune Thyroiditis.

Hossein-Khannazer N, Kazem Arki M, Keramatinia L, Rezaei-Tavirani M. · Laser Therapy, 2015

“Low-level laser therapy was a noninvasive, quick and safe intervention, which increased thyroid hormones and improved thyroid function. Moreover, there was no risk of developing malignant nodules.”

Recent advances in photobiomodulation therapy for brain diseases

S. Dong, H. Ren, R. Zhang, X. Wei, · Interdisciplinary Medicine, 2024

“Brain diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders, have been a major public health problem. There is no drug that can completely reverse the progression without side effects, whereas PBMT has been demonstrated to be capable of delaying the progression of disability, promoting brain function recovery, and reducing the frequency of relapses.”

Brain Photobiomodulation Therapy: a Narrative Review.

Salehpour, F., Mahmoudi, J., Kamari, F. et al. · Molecular Neurobiology, 2017

“Brain PBM therapy enhances the metabolic capacity of neurons and stimulates anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant responses, as well as neurogenesis and synaptogenesis. Its therapeutic role in disorders such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease, as well as to treat stroke, brain trauma, and depression has gained increasing interest.”

Real world outcomes of photodynamic therapy for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy

Khandhadia, S., Thulasidharan, S., Hoang, N.T.V. et al. · Eye 2023 (Official journal of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists)

“136 eyes of 123 chronic CSCR patients treated with half dose PDT exhibited an improvement in VA from 0.36 to 0.15 logMAR, 36 months following treatment from half dose PDT, 97% of eyes with complete resolution of SRF at this point”

Current Applications and Future Perspectives of Photobiomodulation in Ocular Diseases: A Narrative Review.

Cannas C, Pintus B, Corgiolu L, Borrelli E, Boscia G, Toro MD, Giannaccare G. · Applied Sciences, 2024

Photobiomodulation in Ophthalmology: A Comprehensive Review of Bench-to-Bedside Research and Clinical Integration.

Garg D, Daigavane S · Cereus, 2024

Photodynamic therapy offers promise for cancer treatment

Karishma Kailass, Postdoctoral Fellow at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Harvard Medical School. · University of Toronto Mississauga

“Photodynamic therapy offers promise for cancer treatment.”

Photobiomodulation Therapy in the Prevention and Treatment of Radiodermatitis in Breast Cancer Patients: Systematic Review.

Ramos Rocha S, da Costa Ferreira SA, Ramalho A, Conceição Gouveia Santos VL, Cristina Nogueira P. · Journal of Lasers in Medical Sciences 2022

“Clinical trials have shown no adverse effects after therapy and demonstrated an improvement in overall survival related to the reduction of these side effects, such as oral mucositis, RD and lymphedema, associated with the reduction of inflammation and pain, promotion of tissue reparation, reduction of fibrosis, and nerve regeneration.”

An update in clinical utilization of photodynamic therapy for lung cancer.

Wang K, Yu B, Pathak JL. · Journal of Cancer 2021

“PDT has been the subject of numerous clinical studies and has proven to be an effective strategy for cancer therapy. Clinical studies revealed that PDT could prolong survival in patients with inoperable cancers and significantly improve quality of life.”

Laser therapy as a treatment for chronic radiation fibrosis.

Wilson B, Shah R, Menzer C, Aleisa A, Rossi A. · Journal of Lasers in Medical Sciences 2023

“Laser treatment with ablative fractional lasers and vascular lasers appears to be an effective treatment for patients with chronic radiation fibrosis and dermatitis.”

Effects of light on aging and longevity

Shen J, Tower J. Effects of light on aging and longevity. · Ageing Research Reviews, 2019

“Increasing evidence suggests an important role for light in regulation of aging and longevity.”