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Abstract
Background
Pain during labor can be a barrier when choosing vaginal delivery. In an attempt to relief pain during labor, several pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods are proposed.
Objective
To assess the effect of light-emitting diode (LED) photobiomodulation on analgesia during labor.
Methods
A clinical trial was conducted with 29 women who were divided into two groups: G1 (experimental group-LED) and G2 (control group-hot shower). In the experimental group, an LED plate with red and infrared merged [red 660 ± 20 nm, 5 mW/cm2, 3 J per LED (108 J) and infrared 850 ± 20 nm, 5 mW/cm2, 3 J per LED (108 J), total energy = 216 J] was placed on the subjects' dorsal region, at the level of T10 to S4, for 10 min, with the plate automatically turning off. Hot shower at controlled temperature was offered for 30 min. To verify the effect of LED on analgesia during labor, the following variables were assessed: (1) perception of pain, (2) fetal well-being assessed by cardiotocography or intermittent auscultation of fetal heart rate, (3) Apgar score at minutes 1 and 5 after birth, and (4) labor duration.
Results
There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in pain reduction evidenced by a millimetric visual scale, before and after application on G1-LED (7.92 ± 1.78). Regarding the other variables, there was no statistical difference between the groups when comparing fetal well-being, Apgar score and labor duration.
Conclusions
It is concluded that LED can be considered an alternative, since it caused pain reduction without changing other parameters during labor, compared with hot shower, a method included in hospital protocols, proving to be safe.
Elseody MHAA et al., 2024·Lasers in medical science
During the first several weeks following lactation, nipple pain frequently prevents mothers from continuing breastfeeding. To evaluate the efficacy of using Photobiomodulation (PBM) versus anti-inflammatory topical cream, on inflamed nipple, and the effect on milk production. This study was carried-out on 50 breastfeeding women with nipple pain and fissure. Our patients were divided into two groups ; study group (Group I): 25 patients received 12 sessions of PBM using Diode laser for a period of 4 weeks, 3 sessions per week every alternative day, and controlled group (Group II): 25 patients used Anti-inflammatory topical cream. Regarding inflammatory signs in both groups, Group I showed a significant decrease in redness compared to Group II at the 3rd and 4th week, and a significant decrease in nipple fissure and pain at the 3rd week. There was a significant increase in milk amount reflected on the infant's weight. We concluded that PBM was more effective in decreasing nipple pain, inflammation and subsequently milk production and infant weight than topical anti-inflammatory creams.
Cheng K et al., 2021·J Pain·Free full text on PubMed Central
A growing body of evidence supports the modulation of pain by light exposure. As such, phototherapy is being increasingly utilized for the management of a variety of pain conditions. The modes of delivery, and hence applications of phototherapy, vary by wavelength, intensity, and route of exposure. As such, differing mechanisms of action exist depending upon those parameters. Cutaneous application of red light (660 nm) has been shown to reduce pain in neuropathies and complex regional pain syndrome-I, whereas visual application of the same wavelength of red light has been reported to exacerbate migraine headache in patients and lead to the development of functional pain in animal models. Interestingly visual exposure to green light can result in reduction in pain in variety of pain conditions such as migraine and fibromyalgia. Cutaneous application typically requires exposure on the order of minutes, whereas visual application requires exposure on the order of hours. Both routes of exposure elicit changes centrally in the brainstem and spinal cord, and peripherally in the dorsal root ganglia and nociceptors. The mechanisms of photobiomodulation of pain presented in this review provide a foundation in furtherance of exploration of the utility of phototherapy as a tool in the management of pain. This review synopsizes the pathways and mechanisms through which light modulates pain and the therapeutic utility of different colors and exposure modalities of light on pain. Recent advances in photobiomodulation provide a foundation for understanding this novel treatment for pain on which future translational and clinical studies can build upon.
Moraes BHM et al., 2026·Research Square (preprint)
Abstract
To evaluate the effects of PBMT (λ = 660 nm) on pain, breastfeeding quality, and healing of nipple injuries.
This randomized, double-blind, controlled pilot trial included 20 lactating postpartum women with nipple trauma. Participants were divided into PBMT (standard care + active PBMT) and Placebo (standard care + sham) groups. Interventions occurred up to seven sessions over 15 days. PBMT parameters: 660 nm, 40 mW, 10 J/cm², and 0.4 W/cm² for 10s per point (one central and four peripheral points). Assessments included the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), LATCH Scale, Nipple Trauma Score (NTS), and photogrammetry.
Most participants (90%) presented bilateral excoriations or fissures. The PBMT group showed significantly greater pain reduction from the third session onward (p < 0.05), achieving total analgesia by the seventh, whereas the Placebo group maintained higher VAS scores. Although both groups improved their breastfeeding technique, the PBMT group showed superior post-intervention LATCH scores. Furthermore, PBMT significantly accelerated tissue repair from the third session onward. The PBMT group reached complete lesion regression (NTS = 0), while the Placebo group maintained residual trauma (NTS = 1).
PBMT combined with clinical management is effective for pain relief, tissue repair, and improving breastfeeding quality. It serves as a promising adjuvant resource to prevent complications and support the maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding.
Photobiomodulation (PBM) has attracted widespread attention in suppressing various pain and inflammation. Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) primarily occurs in adolescents and adult females, and the limited effectiveness and side effects of conventional treatments have highlighted the urgent need to develop and identify new adjunct therapeutic strategies. In this work, the results of pain and PGs demonstrated that 850 nm, 630 nm, and 460 nm all exhibited pain inhibition, decreased PGF2α and upregulated PGE2, while 630 nm PBM has better effectiveness. Then to explore the underlying biological mechanisms of red light PBM on PD, we irradiated prostaglandin-F2α induced HUSM cells and found that low-level irradiance can restore intracellular calcium ion, ROS, ATP, and MMP levels to normal levels. And, red light enhanced cell viability and promoted cell proliferation for normal HUSM cells. Therefore, this study proposes that red light PBM may be a promising approach for the future clinical treatment of PD.
Therapeutics › Emerging Therapies › Light Therapy · Birth and Delivery › Labor and Birth › Pain Management in Labor
Maria Aparecida Traverzim, Ana Paula Taboada Sobral, Kristianne Porta Santos Fernandes, Daniela de Fátima Teixeira Silva, Christiane Pavani, Raquel Agnelli Mesquita-Ferrari, Anna Carolina Ratto Tempestini Horliana, Andréa Oliver Gomes, Sandra Kalil Bussadori, Lara Jansiski Motta
M Traverzim, A Sobral, K Fernandes, D Silva, C Pavani, R Mesquita-Ferrari, A Horliana, A Gomes, S Bussadori, L Motta
PMID 33760671 33760671 DOI 10.1089/photob.2020.4976 10.1089/photob.2020.4976 Traverzim et al. 2021, Traverzim 2021