Photobiomodulation in skeletal muscle repair: Mechanisms, parameters, and therapeutic potential.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review of mechanisms with no systematic search or new human trial data
PubMed 41795372 · doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2026.153562
What was done
This narrative review analyzed the biological mechanisms, therapeutic parameters, and potential clinical utility of photobiomodulation (PBM)—encompassing lasers, light-emitting diodes, and broadband light—on target cells involved in skeletal muscle repair.
What was found
The abstract reports no quantitative data or specific numerical treatment parameters. It qualitatively notes that PBM influences muscle repair via improved mitochondrial function, reduced neuroinflammation, promotion of myofactors, immune system modulation, and the stimulation of skeletal muscle cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation.
Why it matters
It summarizes potential cellular mechanisms supporting the use of light-based therapies as non-pharmacological adjunctive interventions for skeletal muscle injuries.
Limits
The paper is a narrative review without systematic search methodology or risk-of-bias evaluation. The abstract does not provide specific treatment parameters (e.g., wavelength, power density, energy dose) or quantitative evidence from human clinical trials.