Effects of Far-Infrared Irradiation on Myofascial Neck Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

Lai CH et al, 2013 [randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study; n = 48; male and female; mean age of 53.9 – 11.2/56.9 – 9.2] aimed to determine the relative efficacy of irradiation using a device containing a far-infrared emitting ceramic powder (FIRc) for the management of chronic myofascial neck pain compared with a control treatment. The patients in the experimental group wore a FIRc neck device for 24h/day for 1 week, and the control group wore an inert neck device. Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in pain scores and there was no statistically significant difference between them. However, significant decreases in muscle stiffness in the upper regions of the trapezius muscles were reported in the experimental group after 1 week of treatment. The authors concluded that, the improvement in muscle stiffness in the experimental group warrants further investigation of the long-term effects of FIRc treatment for pain management.