Effects of Somatothermal Far-Infrared Ray on Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the beneficial effects of using a far-infrared (FIR) belt on the management of patients with primary dysmenorrhea. This is the first study to determine the efficacy of somatothermal FIR using a parallel-arm randomized sham-controlled and double-blinded design with objective physical evidence and psychometric self-reports. Fifty-one Taiwanese women with primary dysmenorrhea were enrolled in the study. Results indicate that there was an increased abdominal temperature of 0.6°C and a 3.27% increase in abdominal blood flow in the FIR group (wearing FIR belt) compared to those in the control group (wearing sham belt). Verbal rating scale and numeric rating scale scores in the FIR group were both lower than those in the control group. Compared to the blank group (wearing no belt), the average dysmenorrhea pain duration of the FIR group was significantly reduced from 2.5 to 1.8 days, but there was no significant difference in the control group. These results demonstrate that the use of a belt made of far-infrared ceramic materials can reduce primary dysmenorrhea.

A Parallel-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess the Effects of a Far-Infrared-Emitting Collar on Neck Disorder

“…The FIRC group applied the collars of textile fabrics coated with 10 wt % FIR ceramics, whereas the placebo group applied sham collars with no FIR ceramics inside. As in our previous study, the FIR ceramics were powdered with numerous mineral oxides, including aluminum oxide, ferric oxide, magnesium oxide, and calcium carbonate [38,39,40,41,42,43]. The FIR energy was determined using a SR5000 spectroradiometer (CI, Ltd., Migdal HaEmek, Israel) at the Industrial Technology Research Institute, Taiwan.…”

Physiological rationales of physical therapy interventions in the management of primary dysmenorrhea: a critical review

“…Table 2 summarizes the physical therapy interventions, dosage of treatment, and the mechanisms of action underlying each intervention as proposed by the authors. Among the 26 trials included, we identified eight acupressure trials, [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] seven acupuncture trials, 27-33 five TENS trials, 3,34-37 two spinal manipulation trials, 38,39 one low-level light therapy (LLLT) trial, 40 one far-infrared ray trial, 41 one trial for heat, 42 and one yoga trial. 43 The rationales identified in the trials were endorphin mediated mechanism, gate-control theory, TCM theory, thermal analgesia, and DNIC.…”

“…A few trials reported up to four different rationales. Endorphin-mediated mechanisms were identified in 12 trials, 3,[19][20][21][22]26,[28][29][30]32,34,43 the gate-control theory was reported in eight trials, 19,20,22,34,36,37,42,43 TCM theory was described in six trials, 19,20,27,32,33,43 DNIC in two trials, 30,34 neuroendocrine effect in five trials, 29,32,[39][40][41] placebo effect based on endogenous opioid mechanism in one trial, 28 and long-term depression (LTD) effect in one trial. 28 Six RCTs offered no discernible physiologic rationale.…”

Effect of near‐infrared rays on female menstrual pain in Korea

“…In that study, the FIR undergarment reduced the menstrual pain score from 7.60 to 4.16 when measured by VAS. A Taiwanese study that assessed the benefits of using an FIR belt for the management of patients with primary dysmenorrhea found that the average dysmenorrhea pain duration of the group using a belt made of FIR ceramic materials was significantly reduced from 2.5 to 1.8, compared to the group not wearing a belt (Ke et al, ). These results demonstrate that FIR technology can reduce primary dysmenorrhea.…”