Clinically Backed Full-Body Red Light Therapy Irradiances and Dosage
With the rising popularity of "full-body" light therapy panels and beds, the big question is how do we know the best irradiances and dosage? If you survey the websites of full body red light bed companies and influencers that recommend beds, you will find a lot of contradictory opinions and recommendations on the best irradiance, wavelength and dosages to use. The biggest scam of which is claiming you need more irradiance and posting bogus irradiance numbers.
For example many red light bed companies falsify advertise their intensity by 4x or more based on solar power meter, laser meter or other faulty measurements (see chapter 11 for details on how to properly measure light with a lab calibrated spectroradiometer). And worse you cannot get a proper dosage with the wrong irradiance the same way you cannot get a proper dose of vitamin C if you don't know how many milligrams are in a tablet. The irony is that all the beds we tested, even the most powerful ones, are under 50 mW/cm^2. To date we have not tested even ONE bed over 50 mW/cm^2 using a spectroradiometer. And fortunately for the charlatans, that because red light therapy is so effective, people can still get great results even with large errors in computing dosage based on flawed irradiance measurements. But still this is far from ideal, especially if we want to use clinically validated protocols.
So how can we give clinically accurate recommendations with full body red light led beds? The answer, which is hopefully obvious, is to look at ACTUAL full body red light bed studies! Unfortunately most photobiomodulation studies are done with lasers, not beds or panels, but there are at least 10 good studies using full body red light beds that we will outline in this appendix. It is possible there are more but these are the only ten we found upon an extensive search of photobiomodulation research. So to get clinically accurate irradiance and dosing recommendations we can take the averages of these studies eliminating any outliers. Doing this we find an average irradiance of 28 mW/cm^2 and an average dosage of 30 J/cm^2. Again these numbers come from the 10 full body red light bed studies outlined below.
With the rising popularity of "full-body" light therapy panels and beds, the big question is how do we know the best irradiances and dosage? If you survey the websites of full body red light bed companies and influencers that recommend beds, you will find a lot of contradictory opinions and recommendations on the best irradiance, wavelength and dosages to use. The biggest scam of which is claiming you need more irradiance and posting bogus irradiance numbers.
For example many red light bed companies falsify advertise their intensity by 4x or more based on solar power meter, laser meter or other faulty measurements (see chapter 11 for details on how to properly measure light with a lab calibrated spectroradiometer). And worse you cannot get a proper dosage with the wrong irradiance the same way you cannot get a proper dose of vitamin C if you don't know how many milligrams are in a tablet. The irony is that all the beds we tested, even the most powerful ones, are under 50 mW/cm^2. To date we have not tested even ONE bed over 50 mW/cm^2 using a spectroradiometer. And fortunately for the charlatans, that because red light therapy is so effective, people can still get great results even with large errors in computing dosage based on flawed irradiance measurements. But still this is far from ideal, especially if we want to use clinically validated protocols.
So how can we give clinically accurate recommendations with full body red light led beds? The answer, which is hopefully obvious, is to look at ACTUAL full body red light bed studies! Unfortunately most photobiomodulation studies are done with lasers, not beds or panels, but there are at least 10 good studies using full body red light beds that we will outline in this appendix. It is possible there are more but these are the only ten we found upon an extensive search of photobiomodulation research. So to get clinically accurate irradiance and dosing recommendations we can take the averages of these studies eliminating any outliers. Doing this we find an average irradiance of 28 mW/cm^2 and an average dosage of 30 J/cm^2. Again these numbers come from the 10 full body red light bed studies outlined below.
Notes for 10 Full Body Red Light Studies
Study #1
Ghigiarelli JJ, Fulop AM, Burke AA, Ferrara AJ, Sell KM, Gonzalez AM, Pelton LM, Zimmerman JA, Coke SG, Marshall DG. The Effects of Whole-Body Photobiomodulation Light-Bed Therapy on Creatine Kinase and Salivary Interleukin-6 in a Sample of Trained Males: A Randomized, Crossover Study. Front Sports Act Living. 2020 Apr 29;2:48
TIME: 15 minutes
Dosage: 25 J/cm^2
Irradiance 28 mW/cm^2
The study found no significant improvement for the treatment group compared to controls in the measured biomarkers.
Study #2
Navarro-Ledesma S, Carroll J, González-Muñoz A, Pruimboom L, Burton P. Changes in Circadian Variations in Blood Pressure, Pain Pressure Threshold and the Elasticity of Tissue after a Whole-Body Photobiomodulation Treatment in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Tripled-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial. Biomedicines. 2022 Oct 23;10(11):2678.
Whole-body PBM decreases pain and improves the quality of life in those suffering from FM. Furthermore, psychological factors such as kinesiophobia and self-efficacy are also improved.
6 month Followup Study #2
Navarro-Ledesma S, Carroll JD, González-Muñoz A, Burton P. Outcomes of whole-body photobiomodulation on pain, quality of life, leisure physical activity, pain catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, and self-efficacy: a prospective randomized triple-blinded clinical trial with 6 months of follow-up. Front Neurosci. 2024 Jan 31;18:1264821.
Both 3x a week for four weeks
Dosage: 33.6 J/cm^2
Note: Incorrect Dose listed
Results were positive in reducing symptoms and tracked blood markers.
Study #3
Fitzmaurice B, Heneghan NR, Rayen A, Soundy A. Whole-body photobiomodulation therapy for chronic pain: a protocol for a feasibility trial. BMJ Open. 2022 Jun 29;12(6):e060058.
Both 3x a week for six weeks
Session 1=6 min.
Session 2=12 min.
Sessions 3–18=20 min.
Timescale: 3 treatments/week for 6 weeks.
Dosage: 33.6 J/cm^2
Feasibility - Actual Study #3
Fitzmaurice BC, Heneghan NR, Rayen ATA, Grenfell RL, Soundy AA. Whole-Body Photobiomodulation Therapy for Fibromyalgia: A Feasibility Trial. Behav Sci (Basel). 2023 Aug 29;13(9):717.
Session 1=6 min.
Session 2=12 min.
Sessions 3–18=20 min.
Timescale: 3 treatments/week for 6 weeks.
Irradiance 28 mW/cm^2
Time 20 Minutes
Dose 33.6 J/cm^2
==> 19 people completed the trial with improvements in many symptoms of Fibromyalgia.
Study #4
Rentz LE, Bryner RW, Ramadan J, Rezai A, Galster SM. Full-Body Photobiomodulation Therapy Is Associated with Reduced Sleep Durations and Augmented Cardiorespiratory Indicators of Recovery. Sports (Basel). 2022 Jul 31;10(8):119.
Athletes were monitored with an OURA ring for sleep statistics.
On days the the PBMT was used, there was 40 minutes reduced sleep, reduced heart rate while sleeping, and increased HRV during sleep.
Irradiance 28
20 minutes = 33.6 J/cm^2
2x a week
Study #5
Bowen R, Arany PR. Use of either transcranial or whole-body photobiomodulation treatments improves COVID-19 brain fog. J Biophotonics. 2023 Aug;16(8):e202200391.
14 minutes
28 mW/cm^2
Dose 23.5 J/cm^2
Participants showed improvement in their symptoms, performing slightly better than a separate group that used a transcranial PBM helmet.
Study #6
Forsey JD, Merrigan JJ, Stone JD, Stephenson MD, Ramadan J, Galster SM, Bryner RW, Hagen JA. Whole-body photobiomodulation improves post-exercise recovery but does not affect performance or physiological response during maximal anaerobic cycling. Lasers Med Sci. 2023 Apr 26;38(1):111
Used 660/850nm at 28mW/cm^2 for 20 minute treatments immediately before doing anaerobic cycling. Researchers found improved recovery and HRV from treatment, but the PBM did not improve athletic performance. However, PBM elicited the ability to work at a higher heart rate throughout testing and seemed to enhance recovery through improved HRV the following morning.
Irradiance 28 mW/cm^2
Time 20 minutes before
Dose per session 33.6 J/cm^2
Study #7
Wunsch A, Matuschka K. A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient
satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase. Photomed Laser Surg. 2014;32(2):93-100.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3926176/#!po=19.7674
Group 1: 42.8mW/cm^2 for 20 min and 51.4 J/cm^2 dose.
Group 2: 54.8mW/cm^2 for 15 min and 49.3 J/cm^2 dose.
Group 3: 10.3mW/cm^2 for 25 min and 15.5 J/cm^2 dose.
Group 4: 23.4mW/cm^2 for 12 min and 16.8 J/cm^2 dose.
This study used polychromatic light (not LED or laser) with appropriate filters for the Red to NIR range of 570nm to 850nm. All groups seemed to show a similar improvement in skin features. Treatments were twice a week for 30 total treatments (15 week study). The study found improvement in all of the skincare markers compared to controls.
Average Irradiance = 32.8 mW/cm^2
Average Dose = 33.25
Study # 8
Zhao J, Tian Y, Nie J, Xu J, Liu D. Red light and the sleep quality and endurance performance of Chinese female basketball players. J Athl Train. 2012;47(6):673-678.
658nm Red LED light therapy for 30 min and 30 J/cm^2
Calculated intensity is 16.6 mW/cm^2.
Used to improve sleep and athletic recovery for 14 consecutive days including athletic training.
Study #9
Z. Marcinkevics, Dz. Briljonoks, H. Kronberga, and J. Spigulis "LED-bed therapy of cardiovascular disorders: a volunteer study", Proc. SPIE 11221, Mechanisms of Photobiomodulation Therapy XV, 112210R (11 March 2020);
The study included heat + light in this trial, and they suspect some of the benefits are contributed by the heat effects of the LightStim bed. No effects EXCEPT reduced blood pressure suspected from thermal emissions
In a recent online PBM summit, it is revealed that LightStim emits 13.05 mW/cm^2. [4]
This means we can calculate the dose of 23.49 J/cm^2 for 30 minutes.
Study #10
Zagatto AM, Dutra YM, Lira FS, Antunes BM, Faustini JB, Malta ES, Lopes VHF, de Poli RAB, Brisola GMP, Dos Santos GV, Rodrigues FM, Ferraresi C. Full Body Photobiomodulation Therapy to Induce Faster Muscle Recovery in Water Polo Athletes: Preliminary Results. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2020 Dec;38(12):766-772
The study had users stand in front of the Joovv Elite panels for treatment. The participants stood at 30cm (about 12 inches) away from the panel.
Treatment time was only 5 minutes (2.5 min front and back).
Intensity was 46.17 mW/cm^2 and dose was 6.9 J/cm^2.
The study found no significant improvement for the treatment group in the measured biomarkers.
Study #1
Ghigiarelli JJ, Fulop AM, Burke AA, Ferrara AJ, Sell KM, Gonzalez AM, Pelton LM, Zimmerman JA, Coke SG, Marshall DG. The Effects of Whole-Body Photobiomodulation Light-Bed Therapy on Creatine Kinase and Salivary Interleukin-6 in a Sample of Trained Males: A Randomized, Crossover Study. Front Sports Act Living. 2020 Apr 29;2:48
TIME: 15 minutes
Dosage: 25 J/cm^2
Irradiance 28 mW/cm^2
The study found no significant improvement for the treatment group compared to controls in the measured biomarkers.
Study #2
Navarro-Ledesma S, Carroll J, González-Muñoz A, Pruimboom L, Burton P. Changes in Circadian Variations in Blood Pressure, Pain Pressure Threshold and the Elasticity of Tissue after a Whole-Body Photobiomodulation Treatment in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Tripled-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial. Biomedicines. 2022 Oct 23;10(11):2678.
Whole-body PBM decreases pain and improves the quality of life in those suffering from FM. Furthermore, psychological factors such as kinesiophobia and self-efficacy are also improved.
6 month Followup Study #2
Navarro-Ledesma S, Carroll JD, González-Muñoz A, Burton P. Outcomes of whole-body photobiomodulation on pain, quality of life, leisure physical activity, pain catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, and self-efficacy: a prospective randomized triple-blinded clinical trial with 6 months of follow-up. Front Neurosci. 2024 Jan 31;18:1264821.
Both 3x a week for four weeks
Dosage: 33.6 J/cm^2
Note: Incorrect Dose listed
Results were positive in reducing symptoms and tracked blood markers.
Study #3
Fitzmaurice B, Heneghan NR, Rayen A, Soundy A. Whole-body photobiomodulation therapy for chronic pain: a protocol for a feasibility trial. BMJ Open. 2022 Jun 29;12(6):e060058.
Both 3x a week for six weeks
Session 1=6 min.
Session 2=12 min.
Sessions 3–18=20 min.
Timescale: 3 treatments/week for 6 weeks.
Dosage: 33.6 J/cm^2
Feasibility - Actual Study #3
Fitzmaurice BC, Heneghan NR, Rayen ATA, Grenfell RL, Soundy AA. Whole-Body Photobiomodulation Therapy for Fibromyalgia: A Feasibility Trial. Behav Sci (Basel). 2023 Aug 29;13(9):717.
Session 1=6 min.
Session 2=12 min.
Sessions 3–18=20 min.
Timescale: 3 treatments/week for 6 weeks.
Irradiance 28 mW/cm^2
Time 20 Minutes
Dose 33.6 J/cm^2
==> 19 people completed the trial with improvements in many symptoms of Fibromyalgia.
Study #4
Rentz LE, Bryner RW, Ramadan J, Rezai A, Galster SM. Full-Body Photobiomodulation Therapy Is Associated with Reduced Sleep Durations and Augmented Cardiorespiratory Indicators of Recovery. Sports (Basel). 2022 Jul 31;10(8):119.
Athletes were monitored with an OURA ring for sleep statistics.
On days the the PBMT was used, there was 40 minutes reduced sleep, reduced heart rate while sleeping, and increased HRV during sleep.
Irradiance 28
20 minutes = 33.6 J/cm^2
2x a week
Study #5
Bowen R, Arany PR. Use of either transcranial or whole-body photobiomodulation treatments improves COVID-19 brain fog. J Biophotonics. 2023 Aug;16(8):e202200391.
14 minutes
28 mW/cm^2
Dose 23.5 J/cm^2
Participants showed improvement in their symptoms, performing slightly better than a separate group that used a transcranial PBM helmet.
Study #6
Forsey JD, Merrigan JJ, Stone JD, Stephenson MD, Ramadan J, Galster SM, Bryner RW, Hagen JA. Whole-body photobiomodulation improves post-exercise recovery but does not affect performance or physiological response during maximal anaerobic cycling. Lasers Med Sci. 2023 Apr 26;38(1):111
Used 660/850nm at 28mW/cm^2 for 20 minute treatments immediately before doing anaerobic cycling. Researchers found improved recovery and HRV from treatment, but the PBM did not improve athletic performance. However, PBM elicited the ability to work at a higher heart rate throughout testing and seemed to enhance recovery through improved HRV the following morning.
Irradiance 28 mW/cm^2
Time 20 minutes before
Dose per session 33.6 J/cm^2
Study #7
Wunsch A, Matuschka K. A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient
satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase. Photomed Laser Surg. 2014;32(2):93-100.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3926176/#!po=19.7674
Group 1: 42.8mW/cm^2 for 20 min and 51.4 J/cm^2 dose.
Group 2: 54.8mW/cm^2 for 15 min and 49.3 J/cm^2 dose.
Group 3: 10.3mW/cm^2 for 25 min and 15.5 J/cm^2 dose.
Group 4: 23.4mW/cm^2 for 12 min and 16.8 J/cm^2 dose.
This study used polychromatic light (not LED or laser) with appropriate filters for the Red to NIR range of 570nm to 850nm. All groups seemed to show a similar improvement in skin features. Treatments were twice a week for 30 total treatments (15 week study). The study found improvement in all of the skincare markers compared to controls.
Average Irradiance = 32.8 mW/cm^2
Average Dose = 33.25
Study # 8
Zhao J, Tian Y, Nie J, Xu J, Liu D. Red light and the sleep quality and endurance performance of Chinese female basketball players. J Athl Train. 2012;47(6):673-678.
658nm Red LED light therapy for 30 min and 30 J/cm^2
Calculated intensity is 16.6 mW/cm^2.
Used to improve sleep and athletic recovery for 14 consecutive days including athletic training.
Study #9
Z. Marcinkevics, Dz. Briljonoks, H. Kronberga, and J. Spigulis "LED-bed therapy of cardiovascular disorders: a volunteer study", Proc. SPIE 11221, Mechanisms of Photobiomodulation Therapy XV, 112210R (11 March 2020);
The study included heat + light in this trial, and they suspect some of the benefits are contributed by the heat effects of the LightStim bed. No effects EXCEPT reduced blood pressure suspected from thermal emissions
In a recent online PBM summit, it is revealed that LightStim emits 13.05 mW/cm^2. [4]
This means we can calculate the dose of 23.49 J/cm^2 for 30 minutes.
Study #10
Zagatto AM, Dutra YM, Lira FS, Antunes BM, Faustini JB, Malta ES, Lopes VHF, de Poli RAB, Brisola GMP, Dos Santos GV, Rodrigues FM, Ferraresi C. Full Body Photobiomodulation Therapy to Induce Faster Muscle Recovery in Water Polo Athletes: Preliminary Results. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2020 Dec;38(12):766-772
The study had users stand in front of the Joovv Elite panels for treatment. The participants stood at 30cm (about 12 inches) away from the panel.
Treatment time was only 5 minutes (2.5 min front and back).
Intensity was 46.17 mW/cm^2 and dose was 6.9 J/cm^2.
The study found no significant improvement for the treatment group in the measured biomarkers.
Clinically Backed Recommendations (Mean/Average of studies)
Irradiance = (28 + 28 + 28 + 28 + 28 + 28 + 32.8 + 16.6 + 13.05 + 46.17)/10
= 27.66 mW/cm^2 Average
Dose = (25 + 33.6 + 33.6 + 33.6 + 23.5 + 33.6 + 33.25 + 30 + 23.49 + 6.9)/9
= 29.96 J/cm^2 Average
*Dose removed outlier data point 6.9 J/cm^2
Irradiance = (28 + 28 + 28 + 28 + 28 + 28 + 32.8 + 16.6 + 13.05 + 46.17)/10
= 27.66 mW/cm^2 Average
Dose = (25 + 33.6 + 33.6 + 33.6 + 23.5 + 33.6 + 33.25 + 30 + 23.49 + 6.9)/9
= 29.96 J/cm^2 Average
*Dose removed outlier data point 6.9 J/cm^2
Conclusion:
We find that a reasonable range for "full-body" red light therapy is between 16 to 40mW/cm^2 (one standard deviation) and a good dosage based on is between 25-35 J/cm^2 (one standard deviation). Sticking within this range and dose target can help make sure full-body treatments are being used appropriately. In addition to this as we discussed in chapter 12, most of these studies kept the cumulative dose to <100 J/cm^2 per week which equates to a treatment time of 15-20 minutes 3x a week.
We recommend being very wary of companies claiming >50mW/cm^2. They are almost certainly misrepresenting their actual power using solar or laser meters. Our experience has shown testing our own bed when we increase the power, that the bed starts to become uncomfortably hot when you go above 40 mW/cm^2. Add to that lower tissue penetration, increased ROS and stress to the body. Once you understand this which we elaborated in detail in chapter 11, you'll stop looking for more intensity/irradiance and start looking for the right intensity/irradiance.
Make sure to search for companies with honest and accurate testing of irradiance so you can then use clinically accurate dosage recommendations. If they are recommending a higher irradiance to "save time" then they are almost certainly not measuring light properly AND they are ignoring the research used in actual full body red light bed studies!
We find that a reasonable range for "full-body" red light therapy is between 16 to 40mW/cm^2 (one standard deviation) and a good dosage based on is between 25-35 J/cm^2 (one standard deviation). Sticking within this range and dose target can help make sure full-body treatments are being used appropriately. In addition to this as we discussed in chapter 12, most of these studies kept the cumulative dose to <100 J/cm^2 per week which equates to a treatment time of 15-20 minutes 3x a week.
We recommend being very wary of companies claiming >50mW/cm^2. They are almost certainly misrepresenting their actual power using solar or laser meters. Our experience has shown testing our own bed when we increase the power, that the bed starts to become uncomfortably hot when you go above 40 mW/cm^2. Add to that lower tissue penetration, increased ROS and stress to the body. Once you understand this which we elaborated in detail in chapter 11, you'll stop looking for more intensity/irradiance and start looking for the right intensity/irradiance.
Make sure to search for companies with honest and accurate testing of irradiance so you can then use clinically accurate dosage recommendations. If they are recommending a higher irradiance to "save time" then they are almost certainly not measuring light properly AND they are ignoring the research used in actual full body red light bed studies!
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