Research

baby relaxed on therapist's lap sleeping on their belly and therapist is using LLLT or PBM on back of neck to help reduce tension

  • 🍼 Infant frenectomy (tongue-tie release) – reducing pain, swelling, and improving feeding outcomes

  • 🗣️ Speech and feeding – supporting swallowing, voice, and oral motor recovery

  • 🧠 Neurodevelopment – enhancing emotional regulation, sleep, attention, and learning

  • 🦵 Motor coordination and control – reducing spasticity, supporting muscle recovery, and improving motor function

  • 😌 Pain and inflammation – aiding recovery in oral, dental, and musculoskeletal conditions

Below is a comprehensive list of studies examining LLLT across pediatric populations, along with summaries and links for deeper reading.

Infant Frenectomy (Tongue-Tie Release) Research

LLLT is increasingly applied before and after frenectomy to support comfort, healing, and oral function.

  • LLLT in Pediatric Oral Surgeries
    Reduces postoperative pain, swelling, and speeds up oral wound healing.
    👉 PubMed

  • Photobiomodulation for Oral Wound Healing
    World Association for Photobiomodulation Therapy (WALT) guidelines support PBM for pediatric oral wound care and pain relief.
    👉 WALT Guidelines

  • Infant Frenectomy Case Reports
    Reports show improved breastfeeding outcomes (better latch, less nipple pain) and faster recovery when PBM is used post-frenectomy.
    👉 PubMed Case Summary

  • PBM in Oral Mucositis (Children with Cancer)
    Demonstrates PBM’s ability to reduce oral pain and inflammation and promote mucosal healing—mechanisms directly applicable to frenectomy.
    👉 Archives of Disease in Childhood

  • LLLT for Pre-Anesthetic Tissue Management
    PBM reduces tissue pain/tension in children before injections, suggesting benefit for pre-frenectomy preparation.
    👉 BMC Oral Health

  • PBM in Feeding & Speech Rehabilitation
    Studies in dysphagia and speech therapy show PBM supports swallowing, oral motor recovery, and functional feeding skills.
    👉 SpringerLink – Dysphagia Study

Emotional Regulation, Sleep & Neurodevelopment

Research suggests that PBM may play a role in brain function and emotional well-being in children.

  • Transcranial PBM in Autism (Ages 2–6)
    Randomized sham-controlled trial showed improvements in emotional regulation, attention, and behavioral symptoms.
    👉 Frontiers

  • PBM in Autism Spectrum Disorder
    Studies report reduced irritability, emotional dysregulation, and behavioral challenges in children with ASD.
    👉 ResearchGate

  • Neuroplasticity & Cognitive Recovery
    PBM enhances neuroplasticity, supporting recovery of speech, language, and cognitive functions in neurological conditions.
    👉 PubMed

  • Sleep & Regulation
    Early evidence suggests PBM may support sleep cycles by balancing inflammation and calming neural pathways, though more studies are needed.

Motor Coordination & Control

LLLT has been studied for its effects on spasticity, strength, and muscle recovery in children.

  • Impact on Spasticity in Cerebral Palsy
    Systematic review shows LLLT may reduce spasticity and improve motor outcomes.
    👉 MDPI

  • LLLT in Cerebral Palsy (Motor Function)
    Combined with functional training, LLLT improved gross motor outcomes in children.
    👉 Neuro Acupuncture

  • PBM + Physiotherapy in Myelomeningocele
    Clinical trial showed improved functional performance and motor skills.
    👉 MDPI

  • Effect on Quadriceps and Foot Muscles
    LLLT reduced muscle fatigue, improved strength, and supported exercise recovery in children.
    👉 PubMed Central

Additional Pediatric Research

  • Children with Energy-Protein Malnutrition (1–5 yrs)
    LLLT improved salivary biomarkers in malnourished children.
    👉 PubMed

  • LLLT in Cancer Therapy-Induced Oral Mucositis
    Systematic review/meta-analysis confirmed LLLT reduces severity and pain.
    👉 PubMed

  • LLLT for Oral Mucositis in Cancer Patients
    Demonstrated significant pain relief and faster recovery.
    👉 Archives of Disease in Childhood

  • Effect on Condylar Growth (Mandibular Deficiency)
    Enhanced condylar growth when paired with functional appliances.
    👉 SpringerLink

  • Orthokeratology & LLLT for Myopia
    Both treatments slowed myopia progression.
    👉 Wiley Online Library

  • PBM in Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis (AML)
    Reduced incidence/severity of mucositis in pediatric leukemia patients.
    👉 PubMed

  • PBM Retarding Axial Length Growth in Myopia
    PBM slightly slowed axial length growth in myopic children.
    👉 Nature

  • PBM for Injection Pain in Children
    Reduced pain perception during injections.
    👉 Jocpd

  • Curcumin vs PBM in Oral Mucositis
    Both improved outcomes in cancer-related mucositis management.
    👉 CenterWatch

Speech Therapy Applications of LLLT

LLLT is increasingly relevant to speech-language pathology (SLP).

  • Voice Disorders – Reduced inflammation, improved voice quality.
    👉 PubMed

  • Aphasia Recovery – PBM promotes neuroplasticity and aids language recovery.
    👉 PubMed

  • Dysphagia Management – Improved swallowing and reduced inflammation.
    👉 SpringerLink

  • TMJ Disorders – Reduced pain, inflammation, improved function.
    👉 PubMed

  • Clinical Overview in SLP – Safe integration into therapy for voice, dysphagia, and aphasia.
    👉 PubMed

  • Orofacial Motricity – Survey showed increasing interest among speech therapists.
    👉 SciELO

  • Swallowing Rehab – Reduced pain and inflammation in swallowing muscles.
    👉 PubMed

  • Inflammatory Cytokines & TMJ Pain – LLLT lowered cytokines and pain.
    👉 PubMed

  • Neurological Speech Disorders – Improved motor control in dysarthria and apraxia.
    👉 PMC

Parent FAQ

Q: Is LLLT safe for infants and children?
Yes. Research shows it is safe, painless, and non-invasive when performed by trained professionals.

Q: Does it hurt?
No. Children feel only a gentle light — no heat, vibration, or discomfort.

Q: How many sessions are needed?
Often 1–3 sessions around a frenectomy; more may be used in therapy for speech, motor, or neurological conditions.

Q: Can it help beyond tongue-tie?
Yes. Studies show benefits for speech, feeding, motor function, emotional regulation, and even sleep.

Key Takeaway

LLLT/Photobiomodulation is a safe, evidence-backed therapy with wide applications in pediatric care:

  • 🍼 Frenectomy support – Faster healing, less pain, improved feeding

  • 🗣️ Speech/feeding therapy – Supports swallowing, voice, and oral motor recovery

  • 🧠 Neurodevelopment – Enhances regulation, attention, and sleep

  • 🦵 Motor rehabilitation – Improves muscle performance and coordination

  • 😌 Pain & inflammation – Gentle relief across oral, dental, and musculoskeletal needs

Have more questions? Let us know!

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) / Photobiomodulation for Infants & Children

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), also known as photobiomodulation (PBM), has been investigated in various studies for its potential therapeutic effects in children.

It is a gentle, non-invasive therapy that uses low-intensity light to stimulate healing and improve cellular function.

Research shows that LLLT may help with: