Evidence map›Paper›PMID 26858986›Full record

ArticleMOJ orthopedics & rheumatology

The Use of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) For Musculoskeletal Pain.

Howard B Cotler, Roberta T Chow, Michael R Hamblin, James Carroll

5 registry-linked trialsOpen access · bronzeAbstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in MOJ orthopedics & rheumatology. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 5 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 134 papers, 7 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
134citing papers in PubMed, 7 pooled it
11.4field-weighted citation impact, top 1% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT03375229 nacompletednot on this map

Dry Needling and Photobiomodulation in the Treatment of Myofascial Pain

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversidade Federal de Santa CatarinaRan2018 to 2019Enrolled43ConditionsMyofascial Pain, Trigger PointsArmsDry Needling, Low-Level Laser Therapy
NCT04445545 narecruitingnot on this map

Effectiveness of High Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) and Stretching Exercises on Cervical Flexibility and Pain Reduction in Myofascial Trigger Points. Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT).

TypeinterventionalSponsorQuiropraxia y EquilibrioRan2025 to 2025Enrolled24ConditionsMyofascial Trigger Point Pain (MTrP)ArmsHigh intensity laser therapy (HILT), Therapeutic Ultrasound (US), Stretching exercise
NCT05689788 narecruitingnot on this map

Effect of High-intensity Laser Therapy in Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain. Randomized Clinical Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorQuiropraxia y EquilibrioRan2024 to 2025Enrolled72ConditionsNon-specific Chronic Neck PainArmsHigh-intensity laser therapy, Stretching exercise, Sham High-intensity laser therapy
NCT06465524 nacompletednot on this map

Effects of High-Intensity Laser Therapy and Stretching Exercises on Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain: Findings From a Clinical Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorQuiropraxia y EquilibrioRan2024 to 2025Enrolled21ConditionsChronic Non-specific Neck PainArmsHigh-intensity laser therapy
NCT07125404 nanot yet recruitingnot on this map

Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Auriculotherapy in the Treatment of Myogenic Temporomandibular Disorders and Anxiety: A Randomized Clinical Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorQuiropraxia y EquilibrioRan2025 to 2026Enrolled32ConditionsTemporomandibular Disorder, Anxiety StateArmsLow-level laser auriculotherapy (LLLT-AT), Sham Low-level laser auriculotherapy (sham LLLT-AT), Myofascial release
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

134 citing papers in PubMed, 7 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 369 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Pooled it
  4. Pooled it
  5. Pooled it
  6. Pooled it
  7. Clinical management of alveolar osteitis. A systematic review.Medicina oral, patologia oral y cirugia bucal · 2021
    Pooled it
  8. Trial
  9. Effects from a single application of photobiomodulation on pain intensity from perineal trauma related to childbirth: A randomized controlled trial.International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics · 2026
    Trial
  10. Trial
  11. Trial
  12. Trial
  13. Trial
  14. Trial
  15. Trial
  16. Trial
  17. Trial
  18. Trial
  19. Trial
  20. Trial

74 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Howard B CotlerGulf Coast Spine Care LTD, USA; Laser Health Spa LLC, USA.
Roberta T ChowBrain and Spine Research Institute, University of Sydney, Australia.
Michael R HamblinWellman Center for Photo medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, USA; Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, USA; Division of Health Sciences and Technology, USA.
James CarrollThor Photomedicine Ltd, UK.
Laser Spine Institute · US

Funding

Photodynamic Therapy of Localized InfectionsR01AI050875 · NIAID · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · PI HAMBLIN, MICHAEL R · 2003 to 2017
$4.8M
NIAID NIH HHS R01 AI050875
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Pain is the most common reason for physician consultation in the United States. One out of three Americans is affected by chronic pain annually. The number one reason for missed work or school days is musculoskeletal pain. Currently accepted therapies consist of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid injections, opiate pain medications and surgery, each of which carries their own specific risk profiles. What is needed are effective treatments for pain which have an acceptably low risk-profile. For over forty years, low level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) and LED (light emitting diode) therapy (also known as photobiomodulation) has been shown to reduce inflammation and edema, induce analgesia, and promote healing in a range of musculoskeletal pathologies. The purpose of this paper is to review the use of LLLT for pain, the biochemical mechanisms of action, the dose response curves, and how LLLT may be employed by orthopedic surgeons to improve outcomes and reduce adverse events. With the predicted epidemic of chronic pain in developed countries, it is imperative to validate cost-effective and safe techniques for managing painful conditions which would allow people to live active and productive lives. Moreover the acceptance of LLLT (which is currently being used by many specialties around the world) into the armamentarium of the American health care provider would allow for additional treatment options for patients. A new cost-effective therapy for pain could elevate quality of life while reducing financial strains.

Indexed as

Injury repairLow level laser therapyMusculoskeletalPainPhotobiomodulation

Identifiers

PMID26858986
PMCPMC4743666
OpenAlexW1898734286

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.