Clinical Studies Utilising Infrared fabric with KYMIRA Technology

Peer-Reviewed and Published

A Preliminary Investigation of the Efficacy of Far-Infrared-Emitting Garments in Enhancing Objective and Subjective Recovery Following Resistance Exercise, Jonathon R. Lever, Cara Ocobock, Valerie Smith-Hale, Casey J. Metoyer, Alan Huebner, John P. Wagle and Johnathan D. Hauenstein. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 2025.

Key Findings:

The KYMIRA Infrared (FIR) garments led to highly significant improvements in neuromuscular recovery observed at 48 h post-exercise (p< 0.001). Notably, the mRSI also showed significant improvements at 24 h (p < 0.05), showing greater
exercise performance at 24 hours post first exertion, following recovery in
KYMIRA infrared garments.

Participants who wore the KYMIRA FIR garments reported feeling that they had recovered within 24–48h, whereas those who wore the placebo typically reported recovery taking longer than 48 h.

Effect of Celliant Armbands on Grip Strength in Subjects with Chronic Wrist and Elbow Pain: Randomised Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. Ian L. Gordon, Seth Casden and Michael R. Hamblin, 2021.

Key Findings:

Use of FIR armbands in those with chronic elbow and wrist pain improved grip strength 2x greater than the use of regular arm sleeve over 2 weeks. For the placebo group, the mean grip strength increased from47.95 +/- 25.14 (baseline) to 51.69  +/- 27.35 (final)​. The FIR group increased from 46.3 +/- 22.02 to 54.16 +/-25.97. ​ The mean increase over the two weeks was 7.8% for placebo and 16.8% for FIR (p = 0.0372). No adverse effects was observed.​

Infrared Radiation from Cage Bedding Moderates Rat Inflammatory and Autoimmune Responses in Collagen-Induced Arthritis. J Djuretic, M Dimitrijevic, M Stojanovic, JK Stevuljevic, M.R Hamblin, R Stepanovic-Petrovic, G Leposavic, 2021.

Key Findings:

Exposure to FIR fibers decreases the production levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and increases production levels of anti-inflammatory/immunoregulatory mediators.​ The appearance of the first signs of arthritis were delayed,while the disease was milder in +IRF compared with −IRF rats. ​

This correlated with a lower magnitude of serum IgG antibodylevels in +IRF rats, and lower production level of IL-17, the Th17signature cytokine, in cultures of their paws.​

Effect of Shirts with 42% Celliant® Fiber on tcPO2 Levels and Grip Strength in Healthy Subjects: A Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial, Dr. Ian Gordon, Dr. Mark Vangel and Dr. Michael R Hamblin, Journal of Textile Science and Engineering, 2019. 

Key Findings:

Using FIR garments improved grip strength by over 12% in the dominant hand after 90 minutes ((p=0.0002)​. Average transcutaneous oxygen (tcPO2) was significantly increased by between 5–8% (P<0.05). The mean transcutaneous oxygen (tcPO2) measured over two sites (biceps and abdomen) was significantly increased at 3 timepoints (30, 60, and 90 minutes) by between 5–8% (P<0.05) in FIR garments vs. placebo. ​

Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Effects of Far-Infrared Emitting Ceramic Fabric Shirts and Control Polyester Shirts on Transcutaneous PO2, Dr. Ian Gordon, James Wason, Dr. Lawrence Lavery, Dr. Michael R Hamblin and MS Thein, Journal of Textile Science and Engineering, 2018. 

Key Findings:

The transcutaneous partial pressure of oxygen was 5.5% higher after 30 min and after 90minutes of wearing FIR garments were 6.7% higher than after 90 minutes control (p<0.0003). ​Independent of donning sequence, tcPO2 measurements 90minutes after wearing FIR garments were 6.7% higher than after 90 minutes wearing PET (p<0.0003). ​

When tcPO2 measurements were combined without reference to the sequence with which garments were worn, measurements under FIR garments garments were 5.5% higher at 30minutes and 6.7% higher at 90 minutes (p<0.05). ​

Apparel with Far Infrared Radiation for Decreasing an Athlete’s Oxygen Consumption During Submaximal Exercise, Dr. Jay Worobets, Dr. Darren Stefanyshyn and Emma Skolnik, Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, 2015. 

Key Findings:

When cycling at lower intensities (< 4 mmol/L), subjects consume ~1.0% less oxygen in FIR apparel. On average, the subjects were in the < 2 mmol/L intervalfor 432s,  in the 2 - 4 mmol/L interval for 255s, and  in the 4 - 6mmol/L interval for 158s. ​

Effect of Optically Modified Polyethylene Terephthalate Fiber Socks on Chronic Foot Pain, Dr. Ian Gordon and Dr. Robyn York, BioMed Central Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 2009. 

Key Findings:

Socks with optically modified PET (FIR garments) appear to have a beneficial impact on chronic foot pain. The differences between scores were significant (p < 0.05,Mann Whitney) in 6 of 9 questions for FIR garment subjects and in 4 of 9 questions for controls. ​

Technical Clinical Peer-Reviewed Studies of the Infrared Fabric Technology

Infrared Radioactive Properties and Thermal Modelling of Ceramic-Embedded Textile Fabrics, Exponent Inc and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Harvard Medical School, David M Anderson, John R Fessler, Matthew A Pooley, Scott Seidel, Michael R Hamblin, Haskell W Beckham, James F Brennan, 2017.

Key Findings:

The study presents spectroscopic data for engineered polyester fabric containing varying amounts of ceramic microparticles within the fibre core and report a spectrally-dependent shift in infrared reflectance, transmittance and absorptance. 

Engineered Emissivity of Textile Fabrics by the Inclusion of Ceramic Particles, Matthew A Pooley, David M Anderson, Haskell W Beckham, James F Brennan, 2016.

Key Findings:

The study demonstrates that the emissivity of polyester fabric can be engineered controllably via the inclusion ofceramic microparticles within the fabric fibers in the mid-infrared wavelength range (7.5-14 µm).

Far-Infrared Radioaction (FIR): It's Biological Effects and Medical Applications, Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Fatma Vatansever and Michael R. Hamblin, 2012.​

Key Findings:

Fibres impregnated with FIR emitting ceramic nanoparticles and woven into fabrics, are being used as garments and wraps to generate FIR radiation and attain health benefits from its effects.

Pre-Publication Studies

An Investigation into the Efficacy of Infrared Emitting garments to Enhance Neuromuscular Recovery in Trained Athletes, Loughborough University.

Key Findings:

Results show the use of KYMIRA FIR fabrics led to significant improvement in maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), counter movement jump (CMJ) and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Of note, MVIC and CMJ scores exceeded initial baseline testing, showing a potential for performance advantage.

The Effect of Infrared Radiation Emitting Garments on Acute Skeletal Muscle Adaptive Responses, Loughborough University, Jack Bond.

Key Findings:

In a double-blinded, RCT, this study found that mitochondrial and angiogenic signalling was significantly increased after High Intensity Interval Exercise when wearing KYMIRA’s FIR garments in exercise and for recovery.

White Papers & Unpublished Internal Research

The Test Report on the Impacts of Subject Socks with the Application of Celliant® Technical Fibers on Transcutaneous Oxygen Pressure on a Man’s Foot, Dr. Li Shaojing, Wu Chuanhong, Gao Jian, Zhu Li and Wen Liwei, 2012. 

Transcutaneous Partial Pressure of Oxygen (tcPO2) as a Primary Endpoint to Assess the Efficacy of Celliant® as a Vasoactive Material, Dr. Ian Gordon and Dr. Michael
Coyle, 2012. 

Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, Crossover Trial on the Effect of Optically Modified Polyethylene Terephthalate Fiber Mattress Covers on Sleep Disturbances in Patients with Chronic Back Pain, Dr. Marcel Hungs and Dr. Annabel Wang, 2010. 

Holofiber Study of Thirteen (13) Healthy Subjects for Tissue Oxygenation, Dr. Graham McClue, 2005. 

Improving Blood Flow with Holofiber in the Hands and Feet of High-Risk Diabetics, Dr. Lawrence Lavery, 2003. 

Wider Supporting Research

Peer Reviewed Clinical Trials - Infrared & Nitric Oxide

Recovery After High-Intensity Intermittent Exercise inElite Soccer Players Using VEINOPLUS SportTechnology for Blood-Flow Stimulation, Francois Bieuzen, Herve Pournot, Remy Roulland, Christophe Hausswirth, Journal of Athletic Training, 2012. 

Infrared therapy for chronic low back pain: A randomized, controlled trial, George D Gale, Peter J Rothbart, Ye Li2, Pain Research & Management, 2006. 

Promotive Effects of Far-Infrared Ray on Full-Thickness Skin Wound Healing in Rats, Hideyoshi Toyokawa, Yoichi Matsui, Junya Uhara, Hideto Tsuchiya, Shigeru Teshima, Hideki Nakanishi, A-Hon Kwon, Yoshihiko Azuma, Tetsuo Nagaoka, Takafumi Ogawa, Yasuo Kamiyama, Experimental Biology and Medicine, 2003. 

Effect of linear polarised near-infrared light irradiation on flexibility of shoulder and ankle joints, Demura, Yamajf, Ikemoto, Journal of Sports Medicine & Physical
Fitness, 2002. 

Effect of Light-emitting Diode Irradiation on Wound Healing, Harry T. Whelan, Robert L. Smits, Ellen V. Buchman, Noel T. Whelan, Scott G. Turner, Journal of Clinical
Laser Medicine and Surgery, The NASA light-emitting diode medical
program-progress in space flight and terrestrial applications, 2001. 

Nitric Oxide Stimulates Elastin Expression in Chick Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells, Sugitani, Wachi, Tajima, Seyama, Journal of Health Science, 2001. 

Nitric Oxide: A Novel Mediator of Inflammation, Clancy, Abramson, Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, 1995. 

Nitric Oxide activates guanylate cyclase and increases guanosine 3’:5’-cyclic monophosphate levels in various tissue preparations. Arnold WP, Mittal CK, Katsuki S, Murad F. National Academy of Sciences, 1977.

Stimulation of guanylate cyclase by sodium nitroprusside, nitroglycerin and Nitric Oxide in various tissue preparations and comparison to the effects of sodium azide and hydroxylamine. Katsuki S, Arnold W, Mittal C, Murad F. Journal of cyclic nucleotide research, 1977.

Effect of Changes in Inspired Oxygen Tension on Wound Metabolism, TIMO VIHERSAARI, JAAKKO KIVISAARI, JUHA NIINIKOSKI, U.S.Army European Research Office, 1974