Exercise recovery / DOMS
Photobiomodulation therapy for delayed-onset muscle soreness systematic review and meta-analysis
Tsou Y, Chang WD, Chang NJ. Healthcare. 2025.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found PBM reduced delayed-onset muscle soreness at later time points and improved strength at early time points.
Evidence grade
low
Effect direction
positive
Panel relevance
partially-replicable
Key findings
- The review included 14 studies, with four entering the meta-analysis.
- PBM reduced pain at 72 and 96 hours and improved strength at 24 and 48 hours in pooled outcomes.
- Protocols commonly used red/NIR wavelengths from about 660 to 950 nm targeted to affected muscles.
Protocol details
| Wavelengths | 660, 950 nm |
|---|---|
| Irradiance | Not reported mW/cm2 |
| Fluence | Not reported J/cm2 |
| Session time | Not reported minutes |
| Frequency | Varied across DOMS studies |
| Duration | Follow-up commonly 24 to 96 hours after exercise |
| Treatment area | Affected muscles |
| Device type | Targeted PBM devices |
Caveats
- Only four studies were meta-analyzed, so certainty remains limited.
- DOMS relief is not the same as accelerating tissue healing or increasing long-term training adaptation.