Impact of Ultraviolet Radiation on Bone Density and Muscle Strength in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Study

Group (A): This group covers a sum of 35 postmenopausal women who underwent three weekly sessions of UV light therapy in addition to daily vitamin D supplements of 800 IU.

Ultraviolet therapy device It was an ultraviolet arc lamp made of a low-pressure mercury discharge tube with an internal phosphor coating. The chemical makeup of the phosphor utilized determined the specific wavelength and output of each light (mixtures of phosphates, borates, and silicates). This produces a sizable amount of UVA and UVB but none of UVC. The spectrum of the radiation: is 280-320 nm. Postmenopausal women in the group received treatment with quartz of the type 4004/2n- Verret (A).

Using dose-response assessment, which is graded according to the individual's erythema response and is classified as E1, Second-degree erythema (E2), Third-degree erythema (E3), and Fourth-degree erythema, the physical therapist determined the postmenopausal woman's sensitivity to UV before applying UV (E4).

The physical therapist instructed each case to wear safety glasses (goggles) to protect her eyes from UV, and treatment duration was calculated as a percentage of the MED of UV. The woman was then instructed to take off all of her clothes and wash her abdomen. After describing the steps to the woman and requesting that she avoid looking at the bulb due to the risk of eye damage. The therapist cut three holes, each measuring 2 by 2 cm, into a piece of cardboard that was about 4 by 20 cm in size.

Subsequently, the region around the cardboard was covered with a cloth to prevent the skin nearby from being exposed to radiation by placing the cardboard on the abdomen. The lamp was turned on and positioned 70 cm away and perpendicular to the abdominal region. Before turning toward the woman, the arc lamp needed five to ten minutes to warm up and attain maximum power. The UV beam was pointed straight at the abdomen region after the lamp had achieved maximum power, which activated the timer. The three holes were exposed to UV light for 30 seconds at a time, after which two holes were covered and one was left unattended for the following 30 seconds.