Systematic review and meta-analysis of photobiomodulation for fracture pain and function
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Key Takeaway
Consider photobiomodulation for short-term pain relief in fractures, but note inconsistent long-term benefits.
This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effects of photobiomodulation compared with placebo in patients with fractures. The analysis included 12 studies in the systematic review and 9 studies in the meta-analysis. Follow-up periods ranged from one week to 26 weeks. The primary outcome was pain score, and secondary outcomes included functional improvement, healing, grip strength, bone healing, and mandibular functional recovery.
The meta-analysis found that one-week pain scores were lower in the photobiomodulation group than in the placebo group, with a mean difference of -0.74 and a 95% CI of -1.00, -0.47. Grip strength at four weeks was significantly greater in the photobiomodulation group, with a mean difference of 5.03 and a 95% CI of 4.29, 5.78. No significant differences were observed for pain and functional scores between four and 26 weeks, nor for bone healing.
Evidence for mandibular functional recovery and bone healing remains inconsistent. The authors suggest that future studies should determine therapeutic parameters and their impact on bone healing and long-term functional outcomes across fracture types. Funding or conflicts of interest were not reported. No side effects were reported in the included studies.
Practice relevance suggests that photobiomodulation may relieve short-term pain in fractures and improve grip strength in patients with upper limb fractures. However, the analysis does not show significant long-term benefits for pain, function, or bone healing.
View Original Abstract ↓
INTRODUCTION: Fractures, the most common type of trauma, can cause considerable distress to patients. Pain can not only affect the comfort of fracture patients but also delay their participation in rehabilitation training. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been associated with pain reduction and the promotion of tissue healing. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of PBM in reducing pain and promoting rehabilitation in patients with fractures.
METHODS: This study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024591373). We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science for RCTs that investigated PBM in fractures as of August 2025. The primary outcome was the pain score. The secondary outcomes included functional and healing.
RESULT: Finally, 12 and 9 studies were ultimately included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. The pooled analysis showed that the one-week pain score was lower in the PBM group than in the placebo group (MD -0.74, 95% CI -1.00, -0.47, < 0.0001, I = 0%). Subgroup analysis showed that the difference between the two groups was statistically significant regardless of fracture site or acupoint irradiation. Changes in pain scores were statistically significant in both groups at different wavelength combinations. The improvement in grip strength at 4 weeks was significantly greater in PBM than in placebo (MD 5.03, 95% CI 4.29, 5.78; < 0.0001; I = 0%). There were no significant differences in pain and functional scores at 4-26 weeks. Bone healing did not show differences between the two groups. No side effects reported.
CONCLUSION: PBM appears to relieve short-term pain in fractures and improve grip strength in patients with upper limb fractures, but does not show significant long-term benefits. Evidence for mandibular functional recovery and bone healing remains inconsistent. Future studies should determine therapeutic parameters and their impact on bone healing and long-term functional outcomes across fracture types.
VBQ and Hounsfield Units Predict Subsequent Fractures After Vertebral Augmentation
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