Treatment Effect of Monochromatic Infrared Photo Thermal Energy (MIRE)

Purpose: Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) is the major cause of foot ulcers and amputations.There are roughly 80,000 amputations in the US per year. MIRE therapy is being used to treat various medical conditions affecting pain, sensation and balance. The purpose of this project is to study the efficacy of MIRE therapy and its potential benefits for Patients with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. The research questions were: Is MIRE effective in improving pain, sensation, and balance?

Methods: Subject pool consisted of 20 male and female participants between the ages of 40 and 80. They were patients with extremity pain, reduced sensation, and balance problems. The Tinetti scale, the pain assessment, and Semmes-Weinstein Microfilament 5.07 R-MV sensation assessment were employed as instruments in the data collection. Baseline data was collected and the MIRE treatment lasted for 12 weeks. Post treatment data was collected immediately following the MIRE treatment. The pain assessment data was collected from both left leg and right leg. Descriptive statistics performed to measure any difference in pain, sensation, and balance between the pre and post intervention states. Two separate correlated t-tests were used to examine the effects of MIRE intervention on the balance and sensation assessment. The left leg and the right leg pain assessment data were analyzed using 2x2 (Leg by Time) RM ANOVA. The three assessments were used to measure effectiveness for each patient before and after MIRE treatments.

Analysis/Results: The results showed that there was a significant balance improvement after MIRE treatment (t=14.20, p<0.1).The balance changed from Mean=16.65 to Mean=23.45. The improvement of sensation (5.07 R-MV) was also significant (t=10.35, p<.01). In general, the sensation improved from Mean=1.81 to Mean=10.50. The RM ANOVA results showed that the pain symptom was significantly reduced on both legs (FL=116.63, FR=110.10, p<.01). No significant interaction effect indicated that the both legs had the same pattern of the pain improvement.

Conclusions: The results suggests that MIRE treatment may be effective in reducing pain, improving sensation and enhancing balance function in patients with extremity pain, reduced sensation, and balance problems. The results show that patients with DPN, experienced a significant increase in balance, sensation and pain reduction after the MIRE treatment. Occupational and physical therapists consider using MIRE as a viable modality in the treatment of patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.