Photothermal effect of invasive laser acupuncture: A computational study with experimental validation

Invasive laser acupuncture (ILA) is an innovative integration of traditional acupuncture with precise laser stimulation delivered directly into acupoints, yet it is not widely used in clinical practice and lacks extensive clinical studies. In the era of digital healthcare and patient-specific treatment, computational predictive models have become essential tools for optimizing medical procedures and ensuring treatment safety. However, existing computational models for laser-based therapies primarily focused on skin surface treatments or ablation procedures, creating a significant gap in understanding unique characteristics of ILA. This study addressed this challenge by developing and validating a novel computational predictive model that incorporates the geometric characteristics of needle-integrated optical fiber delivery. The model was validated through ex vivo experiments using a 650 nm laser device, demonstrating good agreement in temporal temperature changes at the irradiation point with an average difference of 11.6%. Using this validated model, systematic investigation of ILA responses to varying laser parameters was conducted to analyze the photothermal effects in tissue. These quantitative insights into the relationships between laser parameters and photothermal responses provided a foundation for evidence-based selection of treatment parameters. This computational framework contributes to the advancement of ILA therapy by enabling more precise control of therapeutic outcomes and supporting the development of safety protocols. Please cite this article as: Kim HJ, Kim J, Kim JG, Lee S, Chae Y, Lee IS. Photothermal effect of invasive laser acupuncture: A computational study with experimental validation. J Integr Med. 2026; 24(3):352-364.