Exploring the Effects of Hilterapia^® on Skin Temperature and Nerve Function

A recent study conducted by Alayat et al. (2024) is the first to examine the effects of Hilterapia^® - pulsed Nd:YAG laser source (1064nm) - on skin temperature and nerve function in healthy individuals. The study involved 30 female participants and focused on the impact of this therapy on the median nerve, aiming to evaluate its potential for treating nerve-related conditions.

Key Findings

• Increase in Skin Temperature
  After a 15-minute session of Hilterapia^®, there was a significant increase in local skin temperature (2.4 °C on average), demonstrating that the treatment produces thermal effects. The increase stayed within safe limits, enhancing blood flow and oxygenation while supporting tissue recovery.

• Improvement in Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV)
  Both motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities improved significantly following the laser treatment, with motor NCV increasing by 5 ms−1 and sensory NCV by 4 ms−1. These improvements suggest that Hilterapia^® boosts the efficiency of nerve signal transmission​.

• Reduction in Distal Motor Latency (DML)
  The time it took for nerve signals to travel was reduced, indicating better nerve responsiveness and function.

Clinical Implications

These findings highlight Hilterapia^® potential as a therapeutic option for conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, where improved nerve function is critical. By safely raising skin temperature and enhancing nerve conductivity, this therapy may aid in nerve recovery and regeneration.