Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42196703›Full record

ReviewInternational journal of environmental research and public health2026

Photobiomodulation and Wearable Light Therapies: A Bibliometric Analysis of the Scientific Literature (1970-2025).

Alberto Grossi, Francesca Campoli, Giuseppe Messina, Giuseppe Caminiti, Matteo Vitarelli, Gabriele Morganti, Elvira Padua, Bruno Ruscello

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in International journal of environmental research and public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

8 authors.

Alberto GrossiDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, 37124 Verona, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-2832-1960
Francesca CampoliDepartment of Human Science and Promotion of Quality of Life, San Raffaele University, 00166 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0009-0004-1342-5881
Giuseppe MessinaDepartment of Human Science and Promotion of Quality of Life, San Raffaele University, 00166 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-2774-4950
Giuseppe CaminitiDepartment of Human Science and Promotion of Quality of Life, San Raffaele University, 00166 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-7820-567X
Matteo VitarelliDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, 37124 Verona, Italy.ORCID 0009-0003-4294-7497
Gabriele MorgantiDepartment of Human Science and Promotion of Quality of Life, San Raffaele University, 00166 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-9448-3872
Elvira PaduaDepartment of Human Science and Promotion of Quality of Life, San Raffaele University, 00166 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-5227-2567
Bruno RuscelloDepartment of Human Science and Promotion of Quality of Life, San Raffaele University, 00166 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-5381-9146

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThis study aims to map the temporal evolution of light-based therapies and identify emerging technological trends in wearable photobiomodulation (PBM) devices. MATERIALS AND

methodsA bibliometric analysis (1970-2025) was conducted using three major databases: Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. The initial dataset, consisting of 117 articles, was processed using the Bibliometrix package in R (version 4.5.0), resulting in a final set of 110 articles. The analysis followed the TALL model (Tracking, Analysis, Layout, and Learning).

resultsScientific production on phototherapeutic devices began in the early 2000s, peaking in 2024, showing a productivity pattern typical of emerging or highly specialized fields. The period 2010-2023 represents a central thematic hub in research. During this time, new light sources (OLED and QLED) enabled the development of flexible, wearable, and implantable photonic devices. In the recent period (2024-2025), light-based therapies are increasingly integrated with network-connected biosensing systems for tissues or accessories, allowing adaptive treatments and remote monitoring. However, these next-generation devices are still undergoing consolidation and scientific maturation.

conclusionsThe results highlight the rapid evolution of research on light-based therapies toward more integrated and clinically validated approaches, indicating growing scientific interest in personalized wearable PBM devices.

Indexed as

BibliometricsLow-Level Light TherapyWearable Electronic DevicesHumansheliotherapylaser developmentlight-based therapiesLow-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)photobiomodulation (PBM)wearable Light-based medical devices

Identifiers

PMID42196703
PMCPMC13206535

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.