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Subliminal ultraviolet‐B irradiation for the prevention of vitamin D deficiency in the elderly: a feasibility study
Author(s) -
Chuck Alexis,
Todd Joanne,
Diffey Brian
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
photodermatology, photoimmunology and photomedicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.736
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1600-0781
pISSN - 0905-4383
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0781.2001.170405.x
Subject(s) - medicine , vitamin d and neurology , subliminal stimuli , vitamin , intervention (counseling) , ultraviolet radiation , gerontology , elderly people , ultraviolet irradiation , irradiation , psychology , nursing , chemistry , social psychology , physics , nuclear physics , radiochemistry
Aim: To investigate whether daily subliminal ultraviolet‐B irradiation in elderly subjects can maintain a normal vitamin D status. Material and methods: In an open, uncontrolled study, 10 residents (four men and six women), mean age on entry of 83 years (range 65–97 years), from a residential nursing home in County Durham, England, were exposed daily to an artificial source of ultraviolet‐B radiation equivalent to 15 min of summer sunshine. The change in plasma 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels following irradiation was measured. Results: Improvement in the vitamin D status of the elderly residents was achieved with no change in their routine and with no intervention on the part of carers. Conclusions: On the basis of this small pilot study we conclude that subliminal ultraviolet‐B irradiation may be effective in maintaining vitamin D status in elderly people at a lower cost than that of using oral vitamin D supplementation. Further controlled studies are needed before this technique can be recommended to change health policy with regard to the vitamin D status of institutionalised elderly people.