Clinical utility of far-infrared therapy for improvement of vascular access blood flow and pain control in hemodialysis patients
March 11, 2025
This study, conducted by Soo Jeong Choi and colleagues, aimed to evaluate the effects of far-infrared (FIR) therapy on improving blood flow and reducing pain associated with vascular access in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The trial included 50 patients, 25 of whom received FIR therapy and 25 served as controls. FIR therapy was administered for 40 minutes, three times a week, during dialysis sessions over the course of 12 months. The results showed that FIR therapy significantly reduced needling pain, with the pain score improving from 4 to 2 after one year. Additionally, the therapy led to a noticeable increase in blood flow to the vascular access (Qa) within three months, which was maintained for the full year, whereas the control group experienced a decline in Qa.
While FIR therapy was successful in reducing pain and improving blood flow, it did not significantly affect the unassisted patency of the vascular access compared to the control group. The study suggests that FIR therapy can be beneficial in managing the pain associated with dialysis needle insertion and maintaining adequate blood flow to the vascular access, which can enhance the quality of life for hemodialysis patients. However, the authors note that further research with larger, multicenter studies is needed to confirm these findings and better understand the long-term effects of FIR therapy in this patient population.
