Research Progress on photobiomodulation therapy for depression
10.3760/cma.j.cn113661-20240910-00301
- VernacularTitle:光生物调节疗法治疗抑郁症的研究进展
- Author:
Haoran XING
1
;
Mier LI
1
;
Yingying ZHANG
1
;
Yuxiao WU
1
;
Yanjun WANG
1
;
Shue ZENG
1
;
Tianhao BAO
1
Author Information
1. 昆明医科大学附属精神卫生中心科教部，昆明650224
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Depressive disorder;
Physical therapy modalities;
Photobiomodulation;
Low-level laser therapy
- From:
Chinese Journal of Psychiatry
2025;58(6):484-488
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Depression is a severe mental illness. Although existing antidepressant medications have shown efficacy in many patients, a significant proportion show poor responses to current treatments, necessitating the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Photobiomodulation (PBM), an emerging physical therapy, has recently shown promising efficacy in the treatment of depression, as indicated by two systematic reviews, and is characterized by high safety and good tolerability. However, challenges remain in areas such as light delivery techniques and optimization of treatment parameters. This review summarizes the antidepressant mechanisms of PBM, various methods of light transmission, and recent research progress on its application in the treatment of depression. It also discusses issues related to safety, tolerability, and impact of specific parameters, aiming to provide insights and recommendations for future research on PBM as a therapy for depression.
