Light therapy for chronic pain: From molecular mechanisms to next-generation therapeutic strategies

Published on April 20, 2026

J Photochem Photobiol B. 2026 Apr 15;279:113438. doi: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2026.113438. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Chronic pain poses a significant clinical challenge, often refractory to conventional therapies. Light-based interventions, including green, blue, and bright light therapies, laser photobiomodulation, and optogenetics, have emerged as promising non-pharmacological approaches for pain modulation. This review integrates recent advances from molecular to circuit-level mechanisms, highlighting how specific light wavelengths influence nociceptive pathways, neuroimmune interactions, and central pain circuits. We further examine translational progress in laser therapy and optogenetic neuromodulation, emphasizing therapeutic efficacy and circuit specificity. Together, these insights lay the foundation for next-generation precision neuromodulation strategies for chronic pain management.

PMID:42000612 | DOI:10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2026.113438

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