Evidence map›Paper›PMID 28748217›Full record

ArticleAIMS biophysics2017

Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation.

Michael R Hamblin

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

Article in AIMS biophysics, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 6 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 575 papers, 9 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
575citing papers in PubMed, 9 pooled it
43.4field-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.

NCT04524715 nawithdrawnnot on this mapstarted 2021, after this paper: background citation

Low-Level Laser Therapy Treatment of Lung Inflammation in COVID-19 Patients

TypeinterventionalSponsorWard Photonics LLCRan2021 to 2022Enrolled0ConditionsCovid19ArmsNon-invasive red LLLT treatment to chest of patient., Sham Device Treatment
NCT04896034 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2021, after this paper: background citation

Evaluation of the Efficacy of the Photobiomodulation on the Pelvi-perineal Pain in Patients in Immediate Post-partum Situation

TypeinterventionalSponsorElsanRan2021 to 2023Enrolled480ConditionsPelvic PainArmsMILTA Device, " control 1 " fake MILTA device
NCT05816798 phase2 / phase3recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2023, after this paper: background citation

Photobiomodulation in Chronic Knee Pain in Patients Who Are in PreRehabilitation for Bariatric Surgery: Double Blind, Randomized, Controlled Placebo Clinical Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversity of Nove de JulhoRan2023 to 2026Enrolled62ConditionsChronic Knee Pain, Obesity, MorbidArmsPhotobiomodulation, Standard Physiotherapy Tretament, Photobiomodulation Placebo
NCT07422272 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2025, after this paper: background citation

Examining of the Acute Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on Pain Threshold and Tolerance: a Randomized Controlled Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorEuropean University of LefkeRan2025 to 2026Enrolled62ConditionsPain Threshold, Pain Tolerance, Acute Pain, Low-level Laser TherapyArmsLow-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), Sham LLLT
NCT07445945 nanot yet recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2026, after this paper: background citation

Physiological Effect of Non-invasive Photobiomodulation on Cognition and Mood in Older Adults With Subjective Cognitive Impairment

TypeinterventionalSponsorBaycrestRan2026 to 2028Enrolled80ConditionsSubjective Cognitive Decline (SCD), Subjective Cognitive ImpairmentArmsPhotobiomodulation, Sham (No Treatment)
NCT07651787 narecruitingnot on this mapstarted 2025, after this paper: background citation

Neurovascular and Mitochondrial Mechanisms of Transcranial Photobiomodulation in Vascular Mild Cognitive Impairment

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversity of OklahomaRan2025 to 2026Enrolled40ConditionsMild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Amyloid PathologyArmsActive Vielight Neuro RX-Duo device -Active transcranial photobiomodulation, Sham Vielight Neuro RX-Duo device -Sham transcranial photobiomodulation
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

575 citing papers in PubMed, 9 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 1,108 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
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  3. Photobiomodulation for oral mucositis in cancer care: prevention, clinical management, and evidence from randomized controlled trials.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
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  15. 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
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515 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

1 author at 1 institution in 1 country.

Michael R HamblinWellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, BAR414, 40 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Massachusetts General Hospital · US

Funding

Photodynamic Therapy of Localized InfectionsR01AI050875 · NIAID · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · PI HAMBLIN, MICHAEL R · 2003 to 2017
$4.8M
Synergistic Photodynamic Therapy for Catherer-Associated Urinary Tract InfectionsR21AI121700 · NIAID · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · PI HAMBLIN, MICHAEL R · 2016 to 2017
$462k
NIAID NIH HHS R01 AI050875NIAID NIH HHS R21 AI121700
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Photobiomodulation (PBM) also known as low-level level laser therapy is the use of red and near-infrared light to stimulate healing, relieve pain, and reduce inflammation. The primary chromophores have been identified as cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria, and calcium ion channels (possibly mediated by light absorption by opsins). Secondary effects of photon absorption include increases in ATP, a brief burst of reactive oxygen species, an increase in nitric oxide, and modulation of calcium levels. Tertiary effects include activation of a wide range of transcription factors leading to improved cell survival, increased proliferation and migration, and new protein synthesis. There is a pronounced biphasic dose response whereby low levels of light have stimulating effects, while high levels of light have inhibitory effects. It has been found that PBM can produce ROS in normal cells, but when used in oxidatively stressed cells or in animal models of disease, ROS levels are lowered. PBM is able to up-regulate anti-oxidant defenses and reduce oxidative stress. It was shown that PBM can activate NF-kB in normal quiescent cells, however in activated inflammatory cells, inflammatory markers were decreased. One of the most reproducible effects of PBM is an overall reduction in inflammation, which is particularly important for disorders of the joints, traumatic injuries, lung disorders, and in the brain. PBM has been shown to reduce markers of M1 phenotype in activated macrophages. Many reports have shown reductions in reactive nitrogen species and prostaglandins in various animal models. PBM can reduce inflammation in the brain, abdominal fat, wounds, lungs, spinal cord.

Indexed as

animal studieschromophoresclinical trialsinflammationlow-level laser therapyphotobiomodulation

Identifiers

PMID28748217
PMCPMC5523874
OpenAlexW2615482484

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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.