Comparing a Novel Phototherapy Kiosk to Oral Vitamin D Supplementation

Benesol is a freestanding booth designed to deliver a small amount of targeted UVB with an interactive user interface and cloud-based software that enables patient self-care. The treatment delivery mechanism uses a metal halide lamp with a series of filters and a lens to optimize full-body exposure to the narrow spectrum (293 - 303nm) of UVB light most efficient at producing vitamin D3. The device uses software to identify patients, establish individual skin types and determine dosage. The system has been designed to manage exposure time and frequency and deliver 60% of a skin-type-adjusted Minimal Erythemal Dose (MED). The expected result for users is a rise in blood levels of 25(OH)D via the endogenous pathway.

Each subject assigned to the comparison group was instructed to take one vitamin D3 pill, dispensed by the research pharmacist, each day with a meal for 70 days. Subjects were instructed not to take any additional vitamin D supplementation during the study period. This dosing frequency is consistent with the RDA recommendation. Subjects were instructed to bring their pill bottle with them when returning for their follow up appointment.