Whole-Body Hyperthermia (WBH) for Fibromyalgia: Addressing Pain, Mental State, and Microcirculation
Whole-Body Hyperthermia (WBH) for Fibromyalgia: Addressing Pain, Mental State, and Microcirculation
Published: 2025-10-14 | Last Reviewed: 2025-10-14
1. Efficacy of Mild WBH in Reducing Fibromyalgia Pain and Improving Mental Health
*Mild Whole-Body Hyperthermia (WBH)* with water-filtered Infrared-A is proven to be an effective *adjunct treatment* for *Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS), confirmed by *Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT)* [1, 2]. Serial WBH treatments significantly *reduce pain intensity* and provide measurable *improvements in the patient’s mental state* [6, 5]. Whole Body Hyperthermia’s mechanism is thought to address underlying pathologies such as *microcirculation abnormalities* and potential *small fiber pathology* [3, 7].
Clinical and Physiological Findings
- *Pain Reduction & Mental State:* Controlled studies show that integrating systemic WBH into multi-modal FMS therapy provides significant benefits, primarily reducing *pain intensity* and achieving a positive impact on the *mental state* [6, 5].
- *Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) Evidence:* RCTs confirm the effectiveness and tolerability of mild WBH as an adjunct to standard multimodal rehabilitation for FMS [1, 2].
- *Addressing Underlying Pathology:* Research indicates that FMS patients often exhibit *microcirculation abnormalities* (measured by capillary and laser fluxmetry) [3] and *small fiber pathology* [7], both of which are targeted by the physiological effects of WBH (improved blood flow).
- *Iterative Treatment:* Iterative mild WBH protocols have been shown to positively impact FMS pain over a treatment series [4].
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Whole-Body Hyperthermia an effective treatment for Fibromyalgia?
Yes, mild WBH is effective as an *adjunct treatment* for FMS, confirmed by RCTs. It helps reduce *pain intensity* and improves the *mental state* when combined with standard multimodal therapy [1, 6].
How does hyperthermia work against Fibromyalgia symptoms?
WBH is believed to address underlying issues like *microcirculation abnormalities* in FMS patients, improving tissue perfusion and reducing pain [3, 7].
How can the von Ardenne Iratherm 1000 Whole-Body Hyperthermia wIRA device be used for fibromyalgia?
Overview of recommended WBH sessions with von Ardenne Iratherm 1000 WBH wIRA device and target temperatures – Treatments shall only be performed after final consultation with a medical doctor
| Indication | No. of sessions | Target temperature | Therapy time Increase phase Plateau phase | Rest time Resting phase | Total WBH session time | |
| Fibromyalgia | 6 | 38.5 °C | 60 min | 30 min | ~ 90 min | |
| 45 min | 15 min | |||||
Can Whole-Body Hyperthermia with wIRA be used for other pathologies?
Yes. Other benefits and areas of application of Whole Body Hyperthermia include Oncology, accelerated metabolism , stimulation of the hormonal system , reduction in muscle tone , enhanced nerve conduction, Systemic sclerosis, Depressive episode, Essential (primary) hypertension, Dorsalgia, Fibromyalgia, Ankylosing spondylitis
A more detailed list of studies and effects ( (from foundational studies on wIRA technology to crucial Phase III clinical trials) can be found here
von Ardenne Iratherm 10000 WBH wIRA hyperthermia-device-summary
References (E-E-A-T)
- Brockow T., Wagner A., Franke A., Offenbächer M., Resch K.L.
A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness of Mild Water-filtered Near Infrared Whole-body Hyperthermia as a n Adjunct to a Standard Multimodal Rehabilitation in the treatment of Fibromyalgia.
Clin J Pain 2007; 1:67-75 - Eine randomisierte, kontrollierte Studie zur Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit einer milden wassergefi lterten Infrarot-A-Ganzkörperhyperthermie als Zusatzbehandlung zu einer multimodalen rehabiliitativen Standardtherapie bei der Behandlung der Fibromyalgie.
Phys Med Rehab Kuror 2008; 18:171-80 - Morf S., Vesti B.A., Forster A., Franzeck U.K., Koppensteiner R., Uebelhart D., Sprott H.
Microcirculation abnormalities in patients with fibromyalgia – measured by capillary and laser fluxmetry.
Arthritis Res Ther 2005; 7:R209-16, Volltext-Link - Schleenbecker H.G., Schmidt K.L.
Zur Wirkung einer iterativen milden Ganzkörperhyperthermie auf den Fibromyalgieschmerz.
Phys Rehab Kur Med 1998; 8:113-17 - Walz J., Hinzmann J., Haase I., Witte T.
Ganzkörperhyperthermie in der Schmerztherapie – eine kontrollierte Studie an Patienten mit Fibromyalgiesyndrom.
Schmerz 2013; 27:38-45 - Romeyke T., Stummer H.
Multi-modal pain therapy of fibromyalgia syndrome with integration of systemic whole-body hyperthermia – effects on pain intensity and mental state: A non-randomised controlled study.
J Musculoskel Pain 2014; 4:341-55 - Üceyler N., Zeller D., Kahn A.K., Kewenig S., Kittel-Schneider S., Schmid A., Casanova-Molla J., Reiners K., Sommer C.
Small fibre pathology in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome
Brain 2013; 136:1857–67
