Effect of photobiomodulation on pain relief and functional improvement in fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Study Summary

12 randomized controlled trials including 476 patients with fractures were included in this systematic review comparing photobiomodulation vs placebo, sham laser, conventional therapy, or acupuncture (control). Pooled outcomes of interest included short-term pain, pain and disability, grip strength, maximum mandibular opening distance, bone healing, nocturnal pain, analgesic use, and adverse events. Photobiomodulation significantly reduced pain within 1 week and improved 4-week grip strength in patients with upper limb fractures, but it did not show clear long-term benefits for pain or function, and evidence for bone healing and mandibular function remained inconsistent. Overall, these findings suggest that photobiomodulation may be useful as an additional treatment for short-term analgesia after fracture, but its longer-term clinical value remains uncertain.