Effect of low-level phototherapy on delayed onset muscle soreness: a systematic review and meta-analysis
March 11, 2025
In the study “Effect of low-level phototherapy on delayed onset muscle soreness,” researchers, led by Fernando Kenji Nampo, reviewed 15 trials to see if low-level light therapy (LLLT), including LED and LASER light, helps reduce muscle soreness, pain, and damage after exercise. The trials included 317 participants who received either real light therapy or a placebo. The results showed that LASER therapy, when used before exercise, helped lower levels of creatine kinase (CK), a marker of muscle damage. However, there was no significant improvement in swelling, range of motion, or strength from light therapy compared to placebo treatments.
The researchers concluded that while LASER therapy might help reduce muscle damage when applied before exercise, there isn’t enough evidence to say that light therapy is effective for relieving muscle soreness or improving muscle function after exercise. The review noted that the results were limited due to the small number of studies, different methods used, and small sample sizes. More research is needed to fully understand the benefits of red light therapy for muscle recovery.
