Antioxidant Effect of Far Infrared Radiation Produced by Bioceramics in Individuals with Intermittent Claudication
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da Silva et al, 2019 [randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study; n = 35; male and female; mean age of 68.1] aimed to evaluate the effect of far infrared emitting bioceramics wraps in the treatment of intermittent claudication. The patients were instructed to place the wrap from the ankle to the knee and hold it in place with a velcro strip. The wrap was sized for each patient. All patients were instructed to place the wrap on the affected leg at bedtime or at 10 o’clock in the evening and remove it upon waking up in the morning every day for a period of ninety days. The intervention induced a decrease in oxidative stress, with significant lower levels of reactive substances to thiobarbituric acid (TBARS), as well as increase in superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activities. There was an increase in the environment subscale of the quality-oflife questionnaire. No statistically significant differences were found in the inflammatory cytokines, 6MWT, ABI and FMV evaluations. In conclusion, FIR treatment improved oxidative stress profile and quality-of-life of patients with intermittent claudication. However, no significant effect was identified in the other secondary outcomes, such as inflammatory status, walking distance, endothelial function, and the ankle-brachial index. According to authors, comparison between different modalities of FIR application, as well as studies with a greater number of patients may better define the role of this type of intervention for the treatment of intermittent claudication.