Table 3.
Clinical trials of photobiomodulation (PBM) in acute responses in exercises using lower limb muscles
| Reference | PBM parameters | Mode of irradiation | Muscle/exercise | Main findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [12] | Cluster with 4 laser diodes 808 nm; 500 mW; 8.3 mW/cm2; Groups: 7 J (10 min); 3 J (5 min); 1 site of irradiation per limb Total delivered: 7 J/3 J |
Scanning Muscular pre-conditioning |
1 site of radiation on quadriceps femoris Maximum voluntary contraction |
RCT with 5 subjects (crossover study) No effect of PBM on muscle fatigue |
| [30] | Laser diode 830 nm; Diode area 0.0028 cm2; 100 mW; 35.714 W/cm2; Volleyball athletes: 4 J (40 s); 1,428.57 J/cm2 Soccer Athletes: 3 J (30 s); 1,071.43 J/cm2 5 sites of irradiation per limb Total delivered: 20 J (volleyball athletes)/15 J (soccer athletes) |
Contact Muscular pre-conditioning |
5 sites of irradiation on rectus femoris Wingate test |
RCT with 20 athletes (crossover study) PBM decreased blood lactate 15 min post-exercise PBM decreased CK in blood 3 min post-exercise No effect of PBM on muscle work |
| [31] | Laser diode 810 nm; Diode area 0.036 cm2; 200 mW; 5.5 W/cm2; 6 J (30 s); 164.84 J/cm2; 2 sites of irradiation per limb Total delivered: 12 J Versus Cluster with 69 LEDs; LED area 0.2 cm2; 34 LEDs 660 nm; 10 mW; 50 mW/cm2; 35 LEDs 850 nm; 30 mW; 150 mW/cm2; 0.3 J LED 660 nm (30 s), 1.5 J/cm2; 0.9 J LED 850 nm (30 s), 4.5 J/cm2; 41.7 J per site of irradiation; 2 sites of irradiation per limb Total delivered: 83.4 J |
Contact Muscular pre-conditioning |
2 sites of radiation on rectus femoris Wingate test |
RCT with 8 athletes (crossover study) PBM (LEDT) decreased CK in blood 3 min post-exercise No effect of PBM (LLLT) on muscle peak and mean power No effect of PBM (LEDT) on muscle peak and mean power No effect of PBM (LLLT) in CK 3 min post-exercise No effect of PBM (LLLT) in blood lactate post-exercise No effect of (LEDT) in blood lactate post-exercise |
| [32] | Cluster with 69 LEDs; LED area 0.2 cm2; 34 LEDs 660 nm; 10 mW; 50 mW/cm2; 35 LEDs 950 nm; 15 mW; 75 mW/cm2; 0.3 J LED 660 nm (30 s), 1.5 J/cm2; 0.4 J LED 950 nm (30 s), 2.2 J/cm2; 25.9 J per site of irradiation; 4 sites of irradiation per limb Total delivered: 103 J |
Contact Between 2° and 3° Wingate |
2 sites of radiation on rectus femoris 1 site on vastus lateralis 1 site on vastus medialis Wingate test |
RCT with 18 athletes (crossover study) No effect of PBM on muscle peak power No effect of PBM on fatigue index No effect of PBM in blood lactate levels |
| [33] | Cluster with 69 LEDs; LED area 0.2 cm2; 34 LEDs 660 nm; 10 mW; 50 mW/cm2; 35 LEDs 850 nm; 30 mW; 150 mW/cm2; 0.3 J LED 660 nm (30 s), 1.5 J/cm2; 0.9 J LED 850 nm (30 s), 4.5 J/cm2; 41.7 J per site of irradiation 5 sites of irradiation per limb Total delivered: 208.5 J Versus Cryotherapy (water immersion for 5 minutes at 5 ° C) |
Contact After exercise |
2 sites of irradiation on quadriceps femoris 2 sites on hamstrings 1 site on gastrocnemius 3 Wingate tests |
RCT with 6 athletes (crossover study) PBM decreased CK in blood post-exercise PBM decreased blood lactate post-exercise No effect of PBM on muscle peak power No effect of PBM on mean muscle power No effect of PBM in C-reactive protein |
| [34] | Cluster with: 1 laser diode 905 nm; Diode area 0.44 cm2; 1.25 mW; 2.84 mW/cm2; 4 LEDs 875 nm; Diode area 0.9 cm2; 17.5 mW; 19.44 mW/cm2; 4 LEDs 640 nm; Diode area 0.9 cm2; 15 mW; 16.67 mW/cm2; 39.37 J per site of irradiation: 300 s 6 sites of irradiation per limb Total delivered: 240 J |
Contact After exercise |
2 sites of irradiation on vastus medialis 2 sites on vastus laterallis 2 sites on rectus femoris Maximum voluntary isometric contraction (isokinetic dynamometer) |
RCT with 50 subjects (10 placebo; 10 cryotherapy, 10 PBM; 10 PBM + cryotherapy; 10 cryotherapy + PBM) PBM decreased CK post-exercise from 24 h to 96 h PBM decreased DOMS from 24 h to 96 h PBM improved MIVC PBM+cryotherapy reduced efficacy of PBM Cryotherapy+PBM and cryotherapy were similar to placebo |
| [35] | Cluster with 5 laser diodes 810 nm; Diode area 0.029 cm2; 200 mW; 6.89 W/cm2; 6 J per diode (30 s); 206.89 J/cm2; 30 J per site of irradiation: 5 × 6 J 6 sites of irradiation per limb Total delivered: 180 J |
Contact Muscular pre-conditioning |
2 sites of irradiation on vastus medialis 2 sites on vastus laterallis 2 sites on rectus femoris Maximum voluntary isometric contraction (isokinetic dynamometer) |
RCT with 36 subjects (18 placebo; 18 LLLT) PBM increased maximum voluntary contraction PBM increased LDH activity 48 h post-exercise PBM decreased blood lactate 24 h and 48 h post-exercise PBM decreased CK in blood 24 h and 48 h post-exercise No PBM effect in DOMS |
| [36] | Cluster with 69 LEDs; LED area 0.2 cm2; 34 LEDs 660 nm; 10 mW; 50 mW/cm2; 35 LEDs 850 nm; 30 mW; 150 mW/cm2; 0.3 J LED 660 nm (30 s), 1.5 J/cm2; 0.9 J LED 850 nm (30 s), 4.5 J/cm2; 41.7 J per site of irradiation (30 s) 3 sites of irradiation per limb Total delivered: 125.1 J |
Contact Muscular pre-conditioning |
1 site of radiation on rectus femoris 1 site on vastus medialis 1 site on vastus lateralis Maximum voluntary isometric contraction (isokinetic dynamometer) |
RCT with 17 subjects (crossover study) PBM decreased the decay of the knee extensor peak torque after a fatigue exercise protocol |
| [37] | Cluster with: 4 laser diodes 905 nm; Diode area 0.44 cm2; 0.3125 mW; 0.71 mW/cm2; 4 LEDs 875 nm; Diode area 0.9 cm2; 17.5 mW; 19.44 mW/cm2; 4 LEDs 640 nm; Diode area 0.9 cm2; 15 mW; 16.66 mW/cm2; Groups: 10 J per site of irradiation: 76 s 30 J per site of irradiation: 228 s 50 J per site of irradiation: 381 s 6 sites of irradiation per limb Total delivered: 60 J/180 J/300 J |
Contact Muscular pre-conditioning |
2 sites of irradiation on vastus medialis, 2 sites on vastus lateralis 2 sites on rectus femoris Eccentric contractions and maximum voluntary isometric contraction (isokinetic dynamometer) |
RCT with 40 subjects (10 placebo; 30 PBM) PBM 10 J, 30 J and 50 J increased the percentage of the knee extensor peak torque immediately after and until 96 h after eccentric exercise protocol PBM 30 J and 50 J decreased DOMS PBM 10 J, 30 J and 50 J decreased CK in blood from 1 h to 96 h |
| [38] | Cluster with 5 laser diodes 810 nm; Diode area 0.036 cm2; 200 mW; 5.495 W/cm2; 2 J per diode (10 s); 54.95 J/cm2; 6 J per diode (30 s); 164.84 J/cm2; 10 J per diode (50 s); 274.73 J/cm2; Groups: 10 J per site of irradiation: 5 × 2 J 30 J per site of irradiation: 5 × 6 J 50 J per site of irradiation: 5 × 10 J 6 sites of irradiation per limb: Total delivered: 60 J/180 J/300 J |
Contact Muscular pre-conditioning |
2 sites of irradiation on vastus medialis 2 sites on vastus laterallis 2 sites on rectus femoris Maximum voluntary isometric contraction (isokinetic dynamometer) |
RCT with 28 athletes (7 placebo; 21 LLLT) PBM 50 J increased knee extensor peak torque immediately after and until 96 h after eccentric exercise protocol PBM 10 J increased knee extensor peak torque after 24 h until 96 h after eccentric exercise protocol PBM 10 J and 50 J decreased CK and IL-6 from 24 h to 96 h PBM (10 J, 30 J and 50 J) had no effect on DOMS PBM 30 J had any effect in all assessments |
| [39] | Cluster with 69 LEDs; LED area 0.2 cm2; 34 LEDs 660 nm; 10 mW; 50 mW/cm2; 35 LEDs 850 nm; 30 mW; 150 mW/cm2; Groups: 0.3 J LED 660 nm (30 s), 1.5 J/cm2; 0.9 J LED 850 nm (30 s), 4.5 J/cm2; 41.7 J per site of irradiation (30 s) 0.6 J LED 660 nm (60 s), 3.0 J/cm2; 1.8 J LED 850 nm (60 s), 9.0 J/cm2; 83.4 J per site of irradiation (60 s); 1.2 J LED 660 nm (120 s), 6.0 J/cm2; 3.6 J LED 850 nm (120 s), 18 J/cm2; 166.8 J per site of irradiation (120 s); 6 sites of irradiation per limb Total delivered: 250.2 J/500.4 J/1,000.8 J |
Contact Muscular pre-conditioning |
2 site of radiation on rectus femoris 2 sites of irradiation on vastus medialis 2 sites of irradiation on vastus lateralis Maximum voluntary isometric contraction and number of repetitions (isokinetic dynamometer) |
RCT with 34 subjects (crossover study) PBM (83.4 J) increased number of repetition (knee extension) PBM (166.8 J) increased number of repetition (knee extension) No effects of PBM (41.7 J) in number of repetition (knee extension), torque or blood lactate levels. No effects of PBM (all doses) on blood lactate levels and torque. |
| [40] | Laser diode 808 nm; Diode area 0.00785 cm2; 100 mW; 12.7 W/cm2; 7 J (70 s), 892 J/cm2; 8 sites of irradiation per limb Total delivered: 56 J |
Contact Muscular pre-conditioning |
8 sites of irradiation on rectus femoris Knee extension (extensor chair) |
RCT with 24 subjects (crossover study) PBM increased number of repetitions No effect of PBM on surface electromyography |
| [41] | Laser diode 780 nm Diode area 0.2 cm2; 30 mW; 0.15 W/cm2; 0.81 J (27 s), 4 J/cm2; 29 sites of irradiation per limb Total delivered: 23.49 J |
Contact Muscular pre-conditioning |
29 sites of irradiation on tibialis anterior Ankle dorsiflexion (isokinetic dynamometer) |
Controlled trial with 12 subjects (crossover study) PBM increased ankle dorsiflexion peak torque in strength test No effect of PBM on surface electromyography No effect of PBM in blood lactate |
| [42] | Laser diode 808 nm; Diode area 0.0028 cm2; 100 mW; 35.71 W/cm2; 4 J (40 s); 1,428.57 J/cm2; 5 sites of irradiation per limb Total delivered: 20 J × 3 times = 60 J |
Contact Between sets of exercise |
3 sites of irradiation on rectus femoris 1 site on vastus lateralis 1 site on vastus medialis Knee extension (isokinetic dynamometer) |
RCT with 7 subjects (crossover study) PBM increased number of repetitions PBM decreased fatigue index in surface electromyography |
| [43] | Laser diode 808 nm; Diode area 0.028 cm2; 100 mW; 3.57 W/cm2; 7 J (70 s), 250 J/cm2; 8 sites of irradiation per limb Total delivered: 56 J |
Contact Muscular pre-conditioning |
8 sites of irradiation on rectus femoris Knee extension (isokinetic dynamometer) |
RCT with 30 subjects (crossover study) PBM decreased blood lactate 6 min post fatigue exercise protocol PBM decreased muscle fatigue by surface electromyography No effect of PBM on muscle peak torque No effect of PBM on muscle average power No effect of PBM on muscle total work No effect of PBM on muscle fatigue index |
| [44] | Cluster with 7 laser diodes 850 nm; Diode area 0.05 cm2; 100 mW; 2 W/cm2; 2 J per diode (20 s), 40 J/cm2; 14 J per site of irradiation: 7 × 2 J 4 sites of irradiation per limb: Total delivered: 56 J |
Contact Muscular pre-conditioning |
1 site of irradiation on vastus medialis, 1 site on vastus lateralis 1 site on rectus femoris 1 site on gastrocnemius Running on treadmill until exhaustion |
RCT with 18 subjects (crossover study) PBM increased the peak oxygen uptake PBM increased cardiovascular efficiency No effect of PBM on muscle fatigue in surface electromyography |
| [45] | Laser diode 810 nm; Diode area 0.028 cm2; 100 mW; 3.57 W/cm2; 3 J (30 s), 107.14 J/cm2; 8 sites of irradiation per limb Total delivered: 24 J |
Contact After exercise |
8 sites of irradiation on adductor muscles 200 m maximal free style swim, 30-s crossbar jump |
RCT with 20 subjects (10 placebo; 10 PBM) PBM improved moderately 30-s crossbar jump test No effect of PBM on 200 m maximal swim No effect of PBM on CK and LDH No effect of PBM on IL-1β, IL-10, TNF-α |
| [46] | Cluster with 6 laser diodes 830 nm; Diode area 0.0028cm2; 60 mW; 21.42W/cm2 0.6 J per diode (10 s), 214.28 J/cm2 3.6 J per site of irradiation: 6 × 0.6 J 7 sites of irradiation per limb Total delivered: 25.2 J |
Contact Muscular pre-conditioning/after exercise |
7 sites of irradiation on quadriceps femoris Knee extension |
RCT with 27 subjects (9 placebo; 9 PBM pre-conditioning; 9 PBM after exercise) PBM applied after exercise decreased blood lactate PBM applied after exercise decreased CK in blood No effects of PBM (pre-conditioning) in number of maximum repetitions No effects of PBM (pre-conditioning) on time to fatigue |
| [47] | Cluster with 5 laser diodes 810 nm; Diode area 0.029cm2; 200 mW; 6.9 W/cm2 6 J per diode (30 s), 206.9 J/cm2 30 J per site of irradiation: 5 × 6 J 8 sites of irradiation per limb Total delivered: 240 J |
Contact Muscular pre-conditioning/after exercise |
3 sites on quadriceps femoris 2 sites on vastus medialis 3 sites on vastus lateralis Knee extension/flexion (plyometric exercise) |
RCT with 24 subjects (12 PBM pre-conditioning; 12 PBM after exercise) - placebo therapy applied on contralateral limb PBM (pre-conditioning or after exercise) promoted smaller muscle damage No effects of PBM (pre-conditioning or after exercise) in MVC No effects of PBM (pre-condtioning or after exercise) on VAS |
| [48] | Cluster with: 4 laser diodes 905 nm; Diode area 0.44 cm2; 0.3125 mW; 0.71 mW/cm2; 4 LEDs 875 nm; Diode area 0.9 cm2; 17.5 mW; 19.44 mW/cm2; 4 LEDs 640 nm; Diode area 0.9 cm2; 15 mW; 16.66 mW/cm2; 30 J per site of irradiation: 228 s 17 sites of irradiation per limb Total delivered: 510 J |
Contact Muscular pre-conditioning |
3 sites of irradiation on vastus medialis, 3 sites of irradiation on vastus lateralis 3 sites of irradiation on rectus femoris 3 sites of irradiation on biceps femoris 3 sites of irradiation on semitendinosus and semimembranosus Bangsbo Sprint Test |
RCT with 12 athletes (crossover study) PBM improved average time in the sprints PBM decreased fatigue index PBM promoted lower percentage of increment in blood lactate No effects of PBM in the best time of sprint |
| [49] | Array with 200 LEDs; 100 LEDs 850 nm arranged in 25 clusters of 4 LEDs, 130 mW, 185.74 mW/cm2; 100 LEDs 630 nm arranged in 25 clusters of 4 LEDs, 80 mW, 114.28 mW/cm2; Groups: 105 J (20 s), total delivered 315 J 210 J (40 s), total delivered 630 J 315 J (60 s), total delivered 945 J Placebo - 0 J (30 s) Sites of irradiation per limb: Whole quadriceps femoris, hamstrings and triceps surae Total delivered: 315 J/630 J/945 J |
Contact Muscular pre-conditioning |
Whole quadriceps femoris, Whole hamstrings Whole triceps surae Before official volleyball matches |
RCT with 6 athletes (crossover study) PBM 210 J and 315 J could prevent significant increases in CK in blood 24 h after professional volleyball matches |