Associations of wearable photobiomodulation device use with mitochondrial bioenergetics and fatigue in athletes and individuals with chronic fatigue
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This 30-day observational pilot study evaluated associations between wearable photobiomodulation use and changes in mitochondrial bioenergetics and perceived fatigue in two physiologically distinct cohorts: athletes ( n = 10) and individuals with chronic fatigue ( n = 10). Participants used a dual-wavelength LED photobiomodulation device six days per week, performing four sequential 10-minute placements per session. Mitochondrial function was assessed at baseline (Day 0), Day 15, and Day 30 using the validated meScreen™ bioenergetic assay from finger-prick blood samples. Subjective fatigue was measured using the FACIT-10a in the chronic fatigue cohort and the MFI-20 in athletes. Within-group changes were analyzed using non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. By Day 15, early bioenergetic shifts were observed. The chronic fatigue cohort demonstrated significant increases in baseline respiration ( p = 0.0195) and mitochondrial potential ( p = 0.0352), consistent with changes in mitochondrial reserve capacity. Athletes demonstrated significant increases in mitochondrial efficiency ( p = 0.0195) and reduced glycolytic reliance ( p = 0.0488), consistent with shifts in metabolic efficiency rather than increased total energy output. By Day 30, these directional changes were largely maintained. Mitochondrial potential showed a non-significant trend toward increase across cohorts ( p = 0.0774). No increases in reactive oxygen species or mitochondrial network instability were observed at any timepoint. Subjective fatigue scores decreased by 37% in the chronic fatigue cohort and 12% in athletes, with approximately 63% of total reduction occurring within the first 15 days. Thirty days of wearable photobiomodulation use was associated with directional changes in selected bioenergetic parameters alongside reductions in perceived fatigue. These findings support further controlled studies to evaluate durability, dose–response relationships, and clinical relevance.
Authors: Zulia Valeyeva-Frost, Greg Eckel
Language: English
Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,353
OpenAlex ID: W7167015264