Far infrared intervention on brain changes in patients with alcohol dependence: a pilot longitudinal MRI study

Objective Chronic alcohol consumption leads to a range of neuropathological changes. Far-infrared (FIR) therapy is a non-invasive thermal intervention that may influence systemic hemodynamics and recovery-related processes; however, its potential role in neurological recovery in alcohol dependence remains insufficiently characterized. Methods Male patients were recruited and divided into a conventional withdrawal group and an FIR intervention group. Researchers collected structural MRI (sMRI) data before and after the intervention, using Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to analyze whole-brain gray matter volume. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was also administered. Results conventional withdrawal alone enhanced brain regions linked to cognition and sensorimotor function, such as the cingulate gyrus and hippocampus. The FIR group, however, showed additional increases in gray matter volume in key areas like the prefrontal cortex, cerebellum, and insula. On MoCA tests, the FIR group consistently scored higher, with differences at baseline and after intervention approaching statistical significance. Conclusion These findings suggest that while abstinence promotes brain reorganization, FIR therapy may provide additional support for neuroplasticity and cognitive stabilization, aiding in the structural recovery of key brain regions affected by Alcohol dependence. This study is preliminary in nature due to the modest sample size and the non-randomized design. Larger randomized controlled studies with longer follow-up are required to confirm the robustness and clinical significance of the observed effects.