Effects of photobiomodulation, intermittent pneumatic compression and neuromuscular electrical stimulation on muscle recovery: Systematic review with meta-analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 40954632 · doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.06.021
What was done
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials published up to July 2023 across four databases. The authors included studies assessing photobiomodulation (PBMT), neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), or intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) on muscle recovery outcomes in healthy asymptomatic adults aged 18 years and older. Two independent reviewers evaluated study selection, risk of bias, and evidence certainty using GRADE.
What was found
A total of 19 studies with 672 participants were included. Low-certainty evidence demonstrated that PBMT applied prior to exercise significantly reduced muscle soreness (MD: -12.27 points, 95% CI -18.14 to -6.40; I² = 48%). In contrast, low-certainty evidence showed NMES did not significantly reduce immediate post-intervention soreness (MD: -4.60 points, 95% CI -20.03 to 10.83), and moderate-certainty evidence showed IPC did not reduce muscle soreness at 24 hours post-intervention (MD: -2.20 points, 95% CI -10.08 to 5.68). The abstract noted PBMT increased muscle performance at 24 hours post-exercise, but provided no numerical data for this outcome.
Why it matters
This review helps differentiate effective recovery modalities from ineffective ones, suggesting that pre-exercise PBMT provides measurable reductions in soreness whereas post-exercise IPC and NMES do not show meaningful benefits.
Limits
The total sample size across 19 trials was modest (n = 672, averaging ~35 participants per study). Evidence certainty was rated low for both PBMT and NMES findings. Specific outcome scales, dosages, protocols, and performance numbers were omitted from the abstract, and results in healthy asymptomatic adults may not generalize to elite athletic training or clinical injury recovery.
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