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The Effect of Water-Filtered Infrared-A (wIRA) Radiation on Morphea: An Intra-Individual Pilot Split-Study
J F Wregg1, A Hofer1, A Gruber-Wackernagel1
1Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Experimental Dermatology
|May 25, 2026
Summary
Water-filtered infrared-A (wIRA) did not significantly improve morphea plaques in a pilot study. While safe and well-tolerated, further research is needed to confirm wIRA
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Photomedicine
Background:
- Morphea (localized scleroderma) is a fibrotic skin condition.
- Water-filtered infrared-A (wIRA) shows potential for enhancing tissue perfusion and modulating fibrosis.
- Clinical evidence for wIRA in morphea is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of wIRA therapy in adult patients with morphea.
- To assess changes in skin properties and patient-reported outcomes following wIRA treatment.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, intra-individual pilot split-study involving 10 adult participants.
- One morphea plaque per patient treated with wIRA (Hydrosun device) for 20 weeks (60 sessions).
- Contralateral plaque served as an untreated control; assessments included high-frequency ultrasound, durometry, and patient-reported scales.
Main Results:
- No significant improvement in irradiated plaques compared to baseline or untreated controls.
- Substantial inter-individual variability in outcome measurements observed.
- wIRA treatment was well-tolerated, with transient mild burning reported by two participants; no serious adverse events.
Conclusions:
- This pilot study did not demonstrate significant efficacy of wIRA for morphea.
- Larger, powered trials with optimized parameters are required to clarify wIRA's role in morphea treatment.
- wIRA appears safe and well-tolerated in this patient cohort.