SynthesisLasers in medical science2019
Comparative effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for adult androgenic alopecia: a system review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Synthesis in Lasers in medical science, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 18 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled 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.
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.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
18 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 47 citations in OpenAlex.
- Full-Spectrum phototherapy in hair loss management: a systematic review of wavelength-dependent mechanisms, clinical efficacy, and future directions.Lasers in medical science · 2025Pooled it
- Comparative efficacy and safety of low-level laser therapy and topical Minoxidil combination vs. topical Minoxidil monotherapy in androgenetic alopecia management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Lasers in medical science · 2025Pooled it
- Effects of photobiomodulation on multiple health outcomes: an umbrella review of randomized clinical trials.Systematic reviews · 2025Pooled it
- Trial
- Photobiomodulation for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: therapeutic effects and molecular mechanism.Frontiers in cell and developmental biology · 2026Review
- Male and female pattern hair loss.Australian prescriber · 2025Review
- Lasers for treatment of androgenetic alopecia: an in-depth analysis.Lasers in medical science · 2025Review
- Clinical efficacy of microneedle combined with 5% Minoxidil solution and finasteride in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in males.Archives of dermatological research · 2025Article
- Red light therapy for patients with chemotherapy-induced alopecia.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025Article
- Physical Treatments and Therapies for Androgenetic Alopecia.Journal of clinical medicine · 2024Review
- A study of the biological effects of low-level light.Lasers in medical science · 2024Review
- The efficacy of LED microneedle patch on hair growth in mice.Archives of dermatological research · 2023Article
- Integrative and Mechanistic Approach to the Hair Growth Cycle and Hair Loss.Journal of clinical medicine · 2023Review
- Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: Current Guidance and Unmet Needs.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2023Review
- Non-ablative Er:YAG laser is an effective tool in the treatment arsenal of androgenetic alopecia.Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2022Article
- Advances in hair growth.Faculty reviews · 2022Review
- Hair Growth Promoting Effects of 650 nm Red Light Stimulation on Human Hair Follicles and Study of Its Mechanisms via RNA Sequencing Transcriptome Analysis.Annals of dermatology · 2021Article
- Photobiomodulation for the management of alopecia: mechanisms of action, patient selection and perspectives.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2019Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to explore the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the treatment of adult androgenic alopecia (AGA). A systematic search of studies on LLLT for AGA was conducted mainly in Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Systematic Reviews. The standardized mean difference (SMD) in the changes of hair density treated by LLLT versus sham devices was analyzed. The meta-analysis included 8 studies comprising a total of 11 double-blinded randomized controlled trials. The quantitative analysis showed a significant increase in hair density for those treated by LLLT versus sham group (SMD 1.316, 95% confidence interval, CI 0.993 to 1.639). The subgroup analysis demonstrated that LLLT increases hair growth in both genders, in both comb- and helmet-type devices, and in short- and long-term treatment course. The subgroup analysis also showed a more significant increase of hair growth for the LLLT versus sham in the low-frequency treatment group (SMD 1.555, 95% CI 1.132 to 1.978) than in the high-frequency group (SMD 0.949, 95% CI 0.644 to 1.253). The review was limited by the heterogeneity of included trials. LLLT significantly increased hair density in AGA. The meta-analysis suggests that low treatment frequency by LLLT have a better hair growth effect than high treatment frequency. LLLT represents a potentially effective treatment for AGA in both male and female. The types of LLLT devices and LLLT treatment course duration did not affect the effectiveness in hair growth.
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What OpenQuestion holds
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.