Effect of a UV-free, carbon-arc phototherapy on eczema of a 3-year-old child: A single-case experimental study

Abstract

　Background: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation phototherapy is used for the management of common skin diseases. However, UV radiation phototherapy has side effects and its long-term use may harm children. This study aimed to investigate the effect of UV-free carbon-arc visible-light phototherapy in children with eczema in Japan. Methods: A single-case experimental design involving a 3-year-old child was used. After three weeks of the no-irradiation phase, 30-min of phototherapy was applied three times weekly for five weeks. Outcome measures were mother-reported Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) and skin condition (transepidermal water loss (TEWL), capacitance, pH, TSLP, IL-4, and IL-13). Results: The patient was a 3-year-old boy with moderate eczema, which continued to relapse for 10 months, even with antiallergic agents and topical emollients. The POEM scores showed a clinically significant decrease during the phototherapy phase compared to those in the no-irradiation phase. The TEWL at eczematous sites also showed a decreasing trend. Conclusions: This finding suggests that UV-free visible phototherapy may alleviate eczema in children by decreasing itching, scratching, and bleeding. Further research with a longer period is warranted to investigate the effect of improving skin barrier function with objective assessment.