Novel Phototherapy Kiosk Shows Promise as a Treatment Option for Low Vitamin D.

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of a phototherapy kiosk (PK) to engage community adults in health promotion and to stimulate production of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin (OH)D as effectively as a vitamin D3 oral supplement (OS). Although optimal production of vitamin D comes from sun exposure, ultraviolet B radiation with a wavelength of 290 to 320 nm penetrates exposed skin and may produce vitamin D3 using a PK. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted with adults randomized to either six PK treatments or D3 OS for 10 weeks. Serum 25(OH)D was drawn at baseline, 10 weeks, and 14 weeks. Primary outcome was serum 25(OH)D level. Mann-Whitney test was used to assess continuous data and Chi squared test for pairwise comparisons of categorical data. Significance was set at P