title: Preliminary results of pinpoint plantar long-wavelength infrared light irradiation on blood glucose, insulin and stress hormones in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was aimed at the development of a novel noninvasive treatment system, "pinpoint plantar long-wavelength infrared light irradiation (PP-LILI)", which may be able to relieve mental stress and normalize blood glucose level via the reduction of stress hormones in type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus (DM) patients.
  Based on this hypothesis, the present study was undertaken to examine effects of PP-LILI on stress hormones (ACTH and cortisol), blood glucose, HbA1c, and insulin levels in 10 patients with type 2 DM. Each patient received PP-LILI of the foot for 15 minutes once weekly using a stress free apparatus (infrared wavelength, 9,000-12,000 nm/power 30 mW).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In response to this therapy, ACTH (P<0.01) and cortisol (P<0.05) levels decreased significantly. Fasting blood glucose (P<0.05) and insulin (P<0.05) levels also decreased significantly along with a tendency for HbA1c to decrease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present data raise the possibility that PP-LILI can normalize blood glucose levels by reducing stress hormones such as cortisol, which aggravate DM, and by improving insulin sensitivity, thereby contributing to prevention and treatment of DM.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Ryotokuji University, Urayasu, Japan.
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ryotokuji
authors.forename: Keisou
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ishimaru
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kihara
authors.forename: Yoshihisa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Namiki
authors.forename: Nobumichi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hozumi
keywords: Pinpoint plantar long-wavelength infrared light irradiation (PP-LILI); blood glucose; relieving stress; stress hormones; type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus (DM)