Far-Infrared Therapy Accelerates Diabetic Wound Healing via Recruitment of Tissue Angiogenesis in a Full-Thickness Wound Healing Model in Rats

Advances in far-infrared research: therapeutic mechanisms of disease and application in cancer detection

Far infrared (FIR) irradiation is commonly used as a convenient, non-contact, non-invasive treatment for diseases such as myocardial ischemia, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. In this review, we focus on reviewing the potential therapeutic mechanisms of FIR and its cutting-edge applications in cancer detection. Firstly, we searched the relevant literature in the last decade for systematic screening and briefly summarized the biophysical properties of FIR. We then focused on the possible mechanisms of FIR in wound healing, cardiovascular diseases, and other chronic diseases. In addition, we review recent applications of FIR in cancer detection, where Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and infrared thermography provide additional diagnostic methods for the medical diagnosis of cancer. Finally, we conclude and look into the future development of FIR for disease treatment and cancer detection. As a high-frequency non-ionizing wave, FIR has the advantages of safety, convenience, and low cost. We hope that this review can provide biological information reference and relevant data support for those who are interested in FIR and related high-frequency non-ionizing waves, to promote the further application of FIR in the biomedical field.

Improved extremity tissue oxygenation with short-term exposure to textiles embedded with far infrared light emitting thermoactive particles in patients with diabetes mellitus

METHODS

A single-center, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, crossover study of 32 subjects with either type 1 or type 2 DM. An active FIR wrap followed by a placebo wrap (or vice versa) was applied to the arm, calf, ankle, and forefoot for 60 min each with continuous TcPO2 measurements. The treatment effect of the active versus placebo wrap was estimated using a linear mixed effect model adjusted for period, sequence, baseline value, and anatomic site.

RESULTS

The active FIR wrap increased mean TcPO2 at the arm (2.6 ± 0.8 mmHg, p = .002), calf (1.5 ± 0.7 mmHg, p = .03), and ankle (1.7 ± 0.8 mmHg, p = .04) and composite of all sites (1.4 ± 0.5 mmHg, p = .002) after 60 min. The estimated treatment effect was significant for the active FIR wrap at the calf (1.5 ± 0.7 mmHg, p = .045) and in composite of all sites (1.2 ± 0.5 mmHg, p = .013).

CONCLUSION

Short-term exposure to FIR textiles improves peripheral tissue oxygenation in patients with diabetes.