Low intensity monochromatic infrared therapy: a preliminary study of the effects of a novel treatment unit upon experimental muscle soreness.
OBJECTIVE
The current study (for which ethical approval was obtained) sought to assess the effect of low intensity monochromatic infrared therapy (LIMIRT) on experimentally induced delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).


METHODS
Healthy volunteers were recruited (n = 24, 12M:12F) and randomly allocated under strict double blind conditions to one of three experimental groups (n = 8, 4M:4F): Control, Placebo, or Treatment (840 nm; 3.0 J cm(-2), pulse frequency 1 kHz). DOMS was induced in a standardised manner in the biceps brachii of the nondominant arm. Subjects attended on 5 consecutive days during which the degree of pain and functional impairment was assessed.


RESULTS
Analysis of results by using nonparametric Freidman and Kruskal-Wallis H tests (with relevant post hoc tests) revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) between Control and LIMIRT treatment groups for pain and tenderness scores. Despite trends in favour of the Treatment group, analysis failed to show any significant differences between the LIMIRT treatment and Placebo groups for all variables except mechanical pain threshold points 3-6 on day 2.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the current study suggest that LIMIRT is ineffective in the management of DOMS at the parameters investigated.
Glasgow
P D
PD
Rehabilitation Sciences Research Group, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Northern Ireland. pd.glasgow@ulst.ac.uk
Hill
I D
ID
McKevitt
A M
AM
Lowe
A S
AS
Baxter
D
D
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*