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Effects of photobiomodulation therapy on the functional performance of healthy individuals: a systematic review with meta-analysis

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Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the effect of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on functional performance concerning strength, fatigue, and functional capacity in healthy individuals. This systematic review with meta-analysis involved searches on data platforms and active searches of randomized clinical trials, focusing on PBMT as the sole intervention. Primary outcomes assessed included strength, fatigue, and functional capacity. Three reviewers screened studies by title and abstract using Rayyan, and data were extracted using a specific form. Bias risk was assessed using RoB2, and confidence in the evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). The RevMan was used for meta-analysis. Sixteen studies were included, totaling 340 individuals (183 males and 157 women). Most articles presented a low risk of bias. Variability was observed in device types and application domains, including wavelengths (655–905 nm), power (10–200 nW), energy (0.6–30 J per point), and time (30–100 s per point). PBMT improved fatigue recovery (mean difference: 5.87; 95% CI 3.83, 7.91). There was no enhancement in strength (peak torque: mean difference 12.40; 95% CI -5.55, 30.55; one-repetition maximum test: mean difference 39.97, 95% CI -2.44, 82.38; isometric and isokinetic strength: mean difference 2.77, 95% CI -14.90, 20.44) nor improvement in short-term (mean difference 0.67, 95% CI -0.58, 1.91) and long-term (mean difference 18.44, 95% CI -55.65, 92.54) functional capacity. PBMT may aid in favoring fatigue recovery in healthy individuals; however, there's no evidence to support PBMT enhancing strength or improving functional capacity.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)—Financing Code 001.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Fisioterapia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Fisioterapia na Universidade Federal do Rio Grande Do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

    Lívia Oliveira Bezerra & Maria Thereza Albuquerque Barbosa Cabral Micussi

  2. Departamento de Fisioterapia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Av Senador Salgado Filho, S/N. Campus Universitário - Lagoa Nova, Natal, 59078-970, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

    Luiza Eduarda Silva de Macedo, Maria Letícia Araújo da Silva, Joyce Maria Pereira de Oliveira & Maria Thereza Albuquerque Barbosa Cabral Micussi

  3. Departamento de Fisioterapia da Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba, Parnaíba, Piauí, Brasil

    Guilherme Pertinni de Morais Gouveia

  4. Departamento de Fisioterapia da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil

    Palloma Rodrigues de Andrade

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  1. Lívia Oliveira Bezerra
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Contributions

Significant involvement in study conceptualization and data collection: Lívia Oliveira Bezerra, Luiza Eduarda Silva de Macedo, Maria Letícia Araújo da Silva, Joyce Maria Pereira de Oliveira. Data analysis/interpretation: Lívia Oliveira Bezerra, Luiza Eduarda Silva de Macedo, Maria Letícia Araújo da Silva, Joyce Maria Pereira de Oliveira, Guilherme Pertinni de Morais Gouveia, Palloma Rodrigues de Andrade, Maria Thereza Albuquerque Barbosa Cabral Micussi. Involvement in manuscript drafting or revision: Lívia Oliveira Bezerra, Luiza Eduarda Silva de Macedo, Maria Letícia Araújo da Silva, Joyce Maria Pereira de Oliveira, Guilherme Pertinni de Morais Gouveia, Palloma Rodrigues de Andrade, Maria Thereza Albuquerque Barbosa Cabral Micussi. Approval of the final manuscript version for publication: Guilherme Pertinni de Morais Gouveia, Palloma Rodrigues de Andrade, Maria Thereza Albuquerque Barbosa Cabral Micussi.

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Correspondence to Maria Thereza Albuquerque Barbosa Cabral Micussi.

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Bezerra, L.O., de Macedo, L.E.S., da Silva, M.L.A. et al. Effects of photobiomodulation therapy on the functional performance of healthy individuals: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Lasers Med Sci 39, 17 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-023-03956-2

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