Far-Infrared Therapy Promotes Nerve Repair following End-to-End Neurorrhaphy in Rat Models of Sciatic Nerve Injury
March 11, 2025
The research conducted by Tai-Yuan Chen, Yi-Chin Yang, Ya-Na Sha, Jiun-Rou Chou, and Bai-Shuan Liu explored the effects of postoperative low-power far-infrared (FIR) radiation therapy on nerve repair in a rat model of sciatic nerve injury. The study divided rats into three groups: one with nerve injury and no FIR treatment (NI/sham group), one with nerve injury and FIR treatment (NI/FIR group), and a noninjured control group (normal). The results demonstrated that FIR treatment significantly improved functional recovery, as measured by walking-track analysis, and reduced muscle atrophy when compared to the sham group. Additionally, FIR therapy promoted faster nerve regeneration, larger areas of neural tissue regrowth, and thicker myelin sheaths, suggesting enhanced nerve repair. Histomorphometric assessments also showed superior nerve regeneration in the FIR-treated rats, with a higher density of myelinated fibers and better overall tissue structure.
The study’s findings suggest that FIR radiation may play a critical role in accelerating peripheral nerve recovery by modulating inflammatory responses and promoting tissue regeneration. Specifically, the FIR-treated group exhibited reduced inflammation, as indicated by lower CD4 and CD8 expression, which suggests that FIR may help manage the inflammatory process during recovery. This research provides valuable insights into how FIR therapy could be utilized as an adjunctive treatment for nerve injuries, particularly in promoting faster functional recovery and reducing long-term complications such as neuropathic pain. The study was led by experts from Chi Mei Medical Center, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, and Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, with Bai-Shuan Liu serving as the corresponding author.
