research

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Explore the science behind photobiomodulation (PBM) and therapeutic light technologies, including red, blue, and near-infrared wavelengths.  

Light-based therapies have been studied for decades, with researchers investigating how different wavelengths interact with biological tissues and influence cellular processes. Areas of research include pain management, inflammation, tissue repair, wound healing, and neurological health. 

At Resonate Health, we believe  in empowering clients through education and evidence-based information. Below, we've highlighted published scientific studies and emerging research to help you better understand the science behind light-based wellness technologies, including the technology used in our Firefly light therapy sessions. 

Research findings vary by wavelength, intensity, dosage, treatment protocol, and device. While scientific research continues to advance, results from individual studies do not necessarily establish the effectiveness of every light therapy device or application.

2025 Comprehensive Scientific Review: Photobiomodulation and Health Outcomes 

Published: August 2025 | Systematic Reviews

A comprehensive scientific review evaluated 15 meta-analyzes encompassing 204 randomized controlled trials and more than 9,000 participants, examining photobiomodulation (PBM) across 35 health outcomes.

The researchers identified promising findings in several areas, including pain associated with burning mouth syndrome, knee osteoarthritis-related disability, fibromyalgia-related fatigue, hair density, and cognitive function.

While the findings support continued investigation into photobiomodulation, the authors emphasize that the overall certainty of evidence ranged from very low to moderate, highlighting the need for additional high-quality clinical trials. 

This publication provides a broad overview of PBM research rather than evidence specific to any single light therapy device. 

Read the complete study on PubMed:  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40770824/

Foundational Photobiomodulation Research: NASA and Early Studies 

The efficacy of Photobiomodulation Therapy has been well documented since its discovery in 1955. Below are just a few of the articles and papers published on Photobiomodulation Therapy as a viable treatment modality for various conditions. 

Key findings in a study published by NASA in 2001 stated that:

“LED produced in vitro increases of cell growth of 155-171% of normal human epithelial cells.”

“LED produced improvement of greater than 40% in musculoskeletal training injuries in Navy SEAL team members, and decreased wound healing time in crew members aboard a U.S. Naval submarine.”

“LED produced a 47% reduction in pain of children suffering from oral mucositis.”

Overall NASA Concluded:

“We believe that the use of NASA LED for light therapy alone, and in conjunction with hyperbaric oxygen, will greatly enhance the natural wound healing process, and more quickly return the patient to a preinjury/illness level of activity.” Read the Complete NASA Study. The video below is from a clinical trial performed with cancer patients based on NASA research.

📷 Photobiomodulation Therapy (Light Therapy) is not new. The barrier to widespread use has been the lack of a device that is both powerful enough for fast results and affordable – until now. Bales Photonics new Firefly can bring this non-invasive therapy option to doctors and alternative therapy practitioners at a fraction of the cost.

by Len Saputo, MD, with Jerry Stine, NC Read the article here

The 2019 Townsend Letter documents Dr. Len Saputo’s work with Firefly inventor, Maurice Bales stating: 

“It is increasingly clear that Photobiomodulation (PBM) can provide highly effective treatment for a wide range of painful conditions that previously had few, if any, effective treatment options. PBM is also safe, affordable, and available.“I am confident that any healthcare practitioner who has had the experiences I’ve had using light therapy would include this treatment as a major part of their approach to managing pain in their patients.”

"In 2019 Dr. Suzan Syed and I conducted a small study on patients diagnosed with cognitive decline in 2019-2020. With dementia affecting 5.7 million Americans and over 50 million people globally, we wanted to know first-hand if our Photobiomodulation (PBM) light therapy could help. This was a small study with patients who had a definitive diagnosis of Dementia from their neurologist." Read the full study here

"Patients were evaluated with the F-Scan to determine frequencies that they were sensitive to. The frequencies found most sensitive were then programmed into a function generator. The function generator was set to input frequency information (sinusoidal waveform, 5V peak-peak) into the Bales Photonics Firefly Clinic Pro using 37,700 mW intensity. Subjects received 10 treatments for 10 minutes over the course of 4 weeks with a minimum of 2 treatments per week using their unique frequencies. 9 subjects completed the pilot study. The average Mini-Cog score improved by 7% from the pre-trial to the post-trial exams. Scores improved by another 26% from the post-trial exam to the post washout exam. The overall average Mini-Cog score improved by 35%."