For diabetics, the most positive results gleaned from studies on the effects of near-infrared and red light therapy for healing is healing foot ulcers. Historically, these are harder to heal due to poor circulation and high glucose levels, especially in the lower limbs. Studies in animals and humans reveal that photobiomodulation restores diabetic patients’ normal healing ability by exerting a stimulatory effect on the mitochondria with a resulting increase in adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

• Houreld, N. N. (2014). Shedding light on a new treatment for diabetic wound healing: a review on phototherapy. 2014:398412

• Feitosa, M. C. (2015). Effects of the Low-Level Laser Therapy (red and near-infrared light) in the process of healing diabetic foot ulcers. Acta cirúrgica brasileira, 30(12):852-7.

• Houreld, N. N. (2015). Healing of diabetic ulcers using photobiomodulation. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 33(5):237-9.

• Maltese, G. (2015). A pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of class IV lasers on nonhealing neuroischemic diabetic foot ulcers in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care, 38(10):e152-3.

Red light therapy also has had profound success in helping patients with painful diabetic neuropathy. Studies have found that photobiomodulation also helps to relieve pain and improve nerve function and foot skin microcirculation in diabetic patients.

• Zhang, P. Can Low-Level Laser Therapy Have An Impact For Small Fiber Neuropathy? Podiatry Today.

• Sashi, K. C. G. Efficacy of low level laser therapy on painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Laser Therapy,24(3): 195–200. 

• Bashiri, H. Evaluation of low level laser therapy in reducing diabetic polyneuropathy related pain and sensorimotor disorders. Acta Medicical Iran, 51(8):543-7.

• Yamany, A. A. and H. M. Sayed. (2012). Effect of low level laser therapy on neurovascular function of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Journal of Advanced Research, 3