Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40214677›Full record

ReviewLasers in medical science2025

Immunomodulatory effects of photobiomodulation: a comprehensive review.

Osama Fekry Al Balah, Maha Rafie, Abdel-Rahman Osama

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Lasers in medical science, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 20 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
20citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

20 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Do Laser and Light Activation Improve In-Office Dental Bleaching Outcomes? An Umbrella Review of Efficacy, Tooth Sensitivity, and Biological Safety.Journal of esthetic and restorative dentistry : official publication of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry ... [et al.] · 2026
    Pooled it
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  4. Journal of oral & facial pain and headache · 2025
    Trial
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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

3 authors.

Osama Fekry Al BalahNational Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. Osama.f.alblah@niles.cu.edu.eg.
Maha RafieNational Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
Abdel-Rahman OsamaFaculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Photobiomodulation, also known as low-level light therapy (LLLT), has emerged as a promising non-invasive treatment modality with significant immunomodulatory effects. This comprehensive review examines the mechanisms underlying photobiomodulation-induced immunomodulation, its effects on specific immune cells, and its clinical applications in immune-related conditions. We explore the cellular and molecular pathways affected by photobiomodulation, including mitochondrial function, reactive oxygen species production, and key signaling cascades. The impact of photobiomodulation on macrophages, T cells, and dendritic cells is discussed, along with its potential in managing autoimmune diseases, inflammatory conditions, and wound healing. Safety considerations, optimal treatment parameters, and future directions in the field are also addressed. This review highlights the growing body of evidence supporting photobiomodulation as a valuable tool in immunomodulation and its potential to revolutionize the treatment of various immune-mediated disorders.

Indexed as

ImmunomodulationLow-Level Light TherapyAnimalsAutoimmune DiseasesDendritic CellsHumansMacrophagesMitochondriaReactive Oxygen SpeciesT-LymphocytesWound HealingReactive Oxygen SpeciesAnti-inflammatory therapyCellular signalingClinical applicationsCytokine modulationImmunomodulationLow-level light therapyMitochondrial functionPhotobiomodulationTherapeutic parametersWound healing

Identifiers

PMID40214677
PMCPMC11991943

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.