Efficacy of a wearable 660 nm red light therapy device in alleviating neck pain and enhancing neck function.

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMt) using red light is an emerging non-invasive treatment modality, increasingly applied for managing neck and shoulder muscle discomfort. This article conducts a pilot study which explores the therapeutic potential of a portable and wearable 660 nm LED PBMt device in chronic neck pain. The pilot study was conducted as a self-controlled volunteer study using a dedicated 660 nm LED PBMt device for the treatment of chronic neck pain. Participants received continuous PBMt for a duration of four weeks. Assessments of neck pain and functionality were conducted using the visual analog scale (VAS), neck disability index (NDI), neck pressure pain threshold, and neck mobility, both at the outset and at two-week intervals post-treatment initiation. Additionally, Pittsburgh Sleep quality index (PSQI) Questionnaire was used to evaluated participants’ sleep quality. After two weeks of PBMt device application, there was a significant reduction in neck pain, improvement in pressure pain threshold, and enhancement in sleep quality. Neck mobility showed improvement following four weeks of continuous use. No adverse symptoms were reported by any participants. The wearable 660 nm LED PBMt device showed potential in alleviating symptoms of chronic neck pain and improving neck function. As a non-invasive, efficient and self-administered treatment option, it provided rapid symptom relief for chronic neck pain sufferers and contributes to an overall enhancement in health quality. However, its relative effectiveness remains to be determined in future research.