REVIEW article
Front. Photonics
Sec. Biophotonics
This article is part of the Research TopicQuantum BiologyView all 7 articles
Photobiomodulation Therapy in Neuropathic Pain: Mechanisms, Evidence, and Future Directions
Provisionally accepted
- 1Hospital Sirio-Libanes, São Paulo, Brazil
- 2University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, United States
- 3Universidade de Sao Paulo Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, São Paulo, Brazil
- 4Universidade de Sao Paulo Instituto de Psicologia, São Paulo, Brazil
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ABSTRACT: Neuropathic pain (NP) is a chronic and disabling condition resulting from injury or disease of the somatosensory system. Characterized by sensory disturbances such as allodynia, hyperalgesia, and spontaneous pain, NP remains a major clinical challenge due to the limited efficacy and significant side effects of conventional pharmacological treatments. In recent years, photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), also referred to as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological strategy for managing NP. PBMT involves the application of red or near-infrared light to biological tissues, triggering a range of photochemical and photophysical responses that enhance mitochondrial function, reduce oxidative stress, modulate inflammation, and support neural repair. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the current evidence on PBMT for NP, integrating mechanistic insights with preclinical findings. We discuss the biological underpinnings of PBMT, including mitochondrial activation via cytochrome c oxidase, modulation of cytokines and oxidative stress markers, and upregulation of neurotrophic factors such as BDNF. Preclinical studies in well-established NP models (e.g., chronic constriction injury, spared nerve injury, diabetic neuropathy) demonstrate consistent analgesic effects and neuroprotective outcomes following both local and remote/systemic PBMT applications. We also highlight key limitations and knowledge gaps in the field, including the need for standardized protocols, greater exploration of remote PBMT strategies, and improved consideration of sex-based responses. Finally, we outline future directions, such as integration with multimodal therapies, personalized dosimetry, and the development of wearable and transcranial PBMT technologies. Together, the existing body of evidence supports PBMT as a safe and potentially effective tool for NP management, while underscoring the need for more rigorous and translational research.
Keywords: Photobiomodulation therapy, neuropathic pain, Translational models, clinical applications, Therapeutic parameters
Received: 31 Oct 2025; Accepted: 28 Nov 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Martins, Correia Rocha, Watkins and Chacur. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Marucia Chacur
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