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The aim of this study was to compare effects of far-infrared (FIR) meridian heat pad therapy and health education in subjects at high risk of developing diabetes mellitus. A total of 103 participants with at least one high-risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled in either an experimental group (n =50) receiving FIR meridian heat pad therapy or an untreated group (n = 53) receiving a diabetes mellitus-related health education program combining traditional and Western medicine (TMWM). The experimental group was treated with FIR heat pads covering an area consisting of six acupuncture points on the hand: Yangxi, Yanggu, Yangchi, Shenmen, Daling, and Taiyuan. Waist circumference, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, total serum cholesterol and blood pressure were measured at baseline and 10 weeks post-intervention. The Chinese version of the SF-36 Health Survey for quality of life was completed post-intervention. Significant changes in waist circumference were shown between baseline and post-intervention in the TMWM group (P=0.003) and FIR group (P=0.002), with greater mean reduction in the TMWM group than the FIR group. Mean fasting blood glucose levels increased significantly in the TMWM group after intervention (P<0.05) but showed no significant increase in the FIR group. General health scores significantly decreased after intervention (P=0.015), while physical functioning scores increased (P=0.027) in the TMWM group but not in the FIR group post-intervention. FIR meridian heat pad therapy may reduce chances of elevating fasting blood glucose levels and a diabetes mellitus-related TMWM health education program may modulate quality of life in patients at high risk of diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]