| Impact of ultraviolet radiation on bone density and muscle strength in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled study |
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Wafaa M. Kamal1, Ahmed M Maged2, Noha Salah2, Nour A El-Goly3, Wael El-Sherbiny2, Elham S Hassan4 |
1Department of Physical Therapy for Woman’s Health, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kasr Al-Ainy Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
3Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
4Department of Physical Therapy for Woman’s Health, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt |
Correspondence:
Ahmed M Maged,
Email: prof.ahmedmaged@gmail.com
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Received: 24 March 2025 • Revised: 21 April 2025 • Accepted: 20 May 2025 |
| Abstract |
Objective
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of narrowband ultraviolet-B (UV-B) irradiation on bone and muscle health in postmenopausal women.
Methods
A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 70 postmenopausal women with vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) and osteopenia. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups. For 6 months, 35 postmenopausal women in study group (A) received three weekly sessions of narrowband UV-B therapy and vitamin D supplements in the form of 100,000 IU cholecalciferol weekly as loading therapy for 8 weeks. This was followed by the daily administration of cholecalciferol 3,000 IU as maintenance therapy for 16 weeks. The control group (B) consisted of thirty-five postmenopausal women who were administered vitamin D supplements alone for 6 months. ELISA kits were used to test the serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), DEXA (COMPANY, CITY, STATE, COUNTRY) was used to test the bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and right femur, and a Biodex System 3 (COMPANY, CITY, STATE, COUNTRY) isokinetic dynamometer was used to assess the peak torque of the extensors and flexors of the dominant knee.
Results
Serum 25(OH)D levels (P=0.000*), Lumbar T-score (P=0.008*), femoral T-score (P=0.002*), and knee extensor peak torque (P=0.030*) significantly increased in both groups after 6 months of treatment, favoring study group (A) over the control group (B).
Conclusion
Narrowband UV-B combined with vitamin D3 supplementation is more effective than vitamin D supplementation alone. |
| Key Words:
Ultraviolet radiation, Narrowband UV-B, Postmenopausal women, Muscle strength, Bone density, Vitamin D insufficiency, Osteopenia |
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