The LITE Study

Home Phototherapy is Comparable to Office Phototherapy

The LITE study demonstrated that home phototherapy is non-inferior to office phototherapy, with excellent effectiveness and safety.

Did You Know?

What is Phototherapy?

Phototherapy, or light therapy, involves exposing the skin to ultraviolet light on a regular basis as prescribed by a health care provider. Treatments can be done in a health care provider's office or at home with a phototherapy unit.

Major barriers affect the ability to access phototherapy in the dermatologist’s office, including limited geographic availability, the inconvenience of attending regular appointments for treatment, and high copays. Home phototherapy is available, but health insurance companies are less likely to cover this treatment option, and health care providers may be uncertain about prescribing it.

What is the LITE Study?

Conducted from 2019 to 2023, the Light Treatment Effectiveness or LITE study was a large pragmatic randomized study embedded in routine clinical practice. The study was the result of a collaboration between the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, and the University of Utah. The LITE study was funded by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), an independent research institute authorized by Congress in 2010 that funds comparative clinical effectiveness research that engages patients and other stakeholders throughout the research process.

Aim

The LITE study aimed to compare the effectiveness, safety (tolerability), and duration of treatment response at 12 weeks of home versus office-based narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy for the treatment of plaque or guttate psoriasis across all skin types.

Population

The LITE study enrolled people ages 12 and older with plaque or guttate psoriasis who were candidates for phototherapy. The study was representative of a variety of skin types ranging from people with very fair skin to people with very darkly pigmented skin.

Comparisons

The LITE study compared home-based phototherapy and clinic-based phototherapy for effectiveness, safety, and duration of treatment response. The study also examined whether skin color affects the effectiveness of phototherapy.

Findings

The LITE study demonstrated that home phototherapy is non-inferior to office phototherapy, with both home and office phototherapy demonstrating excellent effectiveness and safety in real-world settings across all skin types. The findings support the use of home phototherapy as a first-line treatment option for psoriasis, including individuals with no prior phototherapy experience, and advocates for efforts to make phototherapy more available to people living with psoriasis.

Patient Testimonials

"Some individuals prefer phototherapy as a safe, effective alternative to systemic treatments. Results from the LITE study call for specific actions that will expand access to phototherapy and will ensure the psoriasis community lives full and healthy lives." - Alisha Bridges, LITE Study patient stakeholder

Alisha Bridges lives with psoriasis and served on the LITE study patient stakeholder committee.

"The study results represent optimism for the community. There are so many treatment options for psoriasis; knowing that a home-based option is just as effective as one delivered in the office opens up the doors for so many to get effective care." - Eric Fielding, LITE Study patient stakeholder

Eric Fielding has lived with psoriasis since 1993 and was a member of the LITE study patient stakeholder committee.

Press Coverage

NPF News Releases

Other Media Coverage

Dermatology Times - Making Psoriasis Treatment More Accessible: LITE Study Shows Home Phototherapy Success (March 9, 2024)
HCP Live - LITE Study Shows Similar Efficacy Between At-Home, In-Office Psoriasis Phototherapy (March 9, 2024)
Healio - LITE: Home-based phototherapy as effective as office-based UVB treatment for psoriasis (March 10, 2024)
Medscape - How Does Home-Based Phototherapy for Psoriasis Stack Up Against Office-Based Therapy? (March 10, 2024)
HCP Live - Joel Gelfand, MD, MSCE: Phototherapy Utility in Psoriasis (March 12, 2024)
Healio - VIDEO: LITE study shows benefits of home-based phototherapy for psoriasis (March 12, 2024)

Additional Resources

The Light Treatment Effectiveness (LITE) Study Results Presented by Joel Gelfand, M.D.,MSCE

AAD Late Breaker Presentation

Joel M. Gelfand, M.D., MSCE, discusses the results of the LITE Study in a recap of his AAD Late Breaker presentation.

Watch now

Psoriasis LITE: A Clinical Trial for Phototherapy

Listen to an in-depth look at the Light Treatment Effectiveness or LITE study with Dr. Joel Gelfand.

Listen now

A graphic of people with gears, charts and a large lightbulb.

Expanding Phototherapy Research and Access Through Self-Advocacy

Jordan Ellefsen dedicates his time to support a national phototherapy study that he brought to his community.

Read Jordan's story