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Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare effects of far-infrared (FIR) meridian heat pad therapy and health education in subjects at high risk of developing diabetes mellitus. A total of 103 participants with at least one high-risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled in either an experimental group (n =50) receiving FIR meridian heat pad therapy or an untreated group (n = 53) receiving a diabetes mellitus-related health education program combining traditional and Western medicine (TMWM). The experimental group was treated with FIR heat pads covering an area consisting of six acupuncture points on the hand: Yangxi, Yanggu, Yangchi, Shenmen, Daling, and Taiyuan. Waist circumference, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, total serum cholesterol and blood pressure were measured at baseline and 10 weeks post-intervention. The Chinese version of the SF-36 Health Survey for quality of life was completed post-intervention. Significant changes in waist circumference were shown between baseline and post-intervention in the TMWM group (P=0.003) and FIR group (P=0.002), with greater mean reduction in the TMWM group than the FIR group. Mean fasting blood glucose levels increased significantly in the TMWM group after intervention (P<0.05) but showed no significant increase in the FIR group. General health scores significantly decreased after intervention (P=0.015), while physical functioning scores increased (P=0.027) in the TMWM group but not in the FIR group post-intervention. FIR meridian heat pad therapy may reduce chances of elevating fasting blood glucose levels and a diabetes mellitus-related TMWM health education program may modulate quality of life in patients at high risk of diabetes mellitus.
Introduction
Far-infrared (FIR) rays originate in sunlight as electromagnetic waves that radiate energy. Infrared rays with wavelengths of 0.75-1000µm are part of the light spectrum below red, which is the colour of the longest wavelengths of visible light.1 FIR rays of 8 to 14µm can directly heat the human body. This radiation has low skin permeability and is mostly absorbed in superficial skin layers stimulating the corium, blood capillaries and sweat glands. This type of FIR ray raises skin temperature and blood flow at a relatively low temperature (40-60°C) without causing apnoea, blood rushing to the head, damaged hair or heart stress.2
FIR sauna is a relatively new type of treatment that is helpful...