Artificial Bright Light Therapy for Circadian Rhythm Sleep–Wake Disorders

ABSTRACTPurposeTo explore existing literature on the association between environmental risk factors with delirium and to investigate the effectiveness of environmental modifications on prevention or management of delirium.Materials and MethodsThis is a scoping review of peer-reviewed studies in Pubmed and the reference lists of reviewed articles. Observational studies reporting the effect of noise, light, and circadian rhythm on delirium and interventional studies assessing delirium in modified environments were reviewed.ResultsThirty eight studies were included, of which, 21 evaluated impact of environment on delirium, and 16 studied the interventions. Interventions targeted reducing noise exposure, improving light exposure to follow circadian rhythm, and promoting sleep. Mixed findings of the reviewed studies yielded to inconclusive results; however quiet-time protocols, earplugs, and bright light therapy might benefit prevention, or management of delirium.ResultsThirty seven studies were included, 21 of which evaluated the impact of environment on delirium and 16 studied possible solutions to mitigate those impacts. Mixed findings of the reviewed studies yielded inconclusive results; a clearly delineated association between high noise levels, abnormal amounts of light exposure, and sleep disruption with delirium could not be established. Interventions targeted reducing noise exposure, improving day-time and mitigating night-time light exposure to follow circadian rhythm, and promoting sleep. The overall evidence supporting effectiveness of environmental interventions was also of a low confidence; however, quiet-time protocols, earplugs, and bright light therapy showed a benefit for prevention or management of delirium.ConclusionEnvironmental modifications are non-invasive, risk-free, and low-cost strategies that may be beneficial in preventing and managing delirium, especially when used as part of a multi-component plan. However, given the limited evidence-based conclusions, further high-quality and larger studies focusing on environmental modifications and delirium outcomes are strongly recommended.

Download Full-text

Bright Light Therapy Increases Blood Pressure and Changes the Structure of Circadian Rhythm of Melatonin Secretion in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine ◽

10.1007/s10517-019-04677-9 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 168 (2) ◽

pp. 214-218

Author(s):

M. L. Blagonravov ◽

A. A. Bryk ◽

V. A. Goryachev ◽

E. V. Medvedeva ◽

E. A. Demurov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Circadian Rhythm ◽

Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats ◽

Bright Light ◽

Light Therapy ◽

Bright Light Therapy ◽

Hypertensive Rats ◽

Melatonin Secretion ◽

Spontaneously Hypertensive

Download Full-text

Bright Light Therapy Protects Women from Circadian Rhythm Desynchronization During Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

Behavioral Sleep Medicine ◽

10.1080/15402002.2011.634940 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 202-216 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Ariel B. Neikrug ◽

Michelle Rissling ◽

Vera Trofimenko ◽

Lianqi Liu ◽

Loki Natarajan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Circadian Rhythm ◽

Bright Light ◽

Light Therapy ◽

Bright Light Therapy

Download Full-text

Bright Light Therapy in Parkinson's Disease: An Overview of the Background and Evidence

Parkinson s Disease ◽

10.1155/2012/767105 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Sonja Rutten ◽

Chris Vriend ◽

Odile A. van den Heuvel ◽

Jan H. Smit ◽

Henk W. Berendse ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Circadian Rhythm ◽

Sleep Disorders ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Bright Light ◽

Light Therapy ◽

Current Treatment ◽

Bright Light Therapy ◽

Positive Effect

Sleep disorders are common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and seem to be strongly associated with depression. It has been suggested that sleep disorders as well as depression are caused by a disturbed circadian rhythm. Indeed, PD patients are prone to misalignment of their circadian rhythm due to various factors, and many patients with PD display a phase advance of their circadian rhythm. Current treatment options for sleep disorders and depression in patients with PD are limited and can have serious side effects; alternative treatments are therefore badly needed. Bright light therapy (BLT) restores circadian rhythmicity effectively in mood- and sleep-disturbed patients without PD. The few studies that focused on the efficacy of BLT in patients with PD demonstrated a positive effect of BLT not only on sleep and mood but also on motor function. More research on the neurobiology and efficacy of BLT in PD is warranted.

Download Full-text

Circadian Rhythm Dysregulation and Restoration: The Role of Melatonin

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13103480 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. 3480

Author(s):

Clayton Vasey ◽

Jennifer McBride ◽

Kayla Penta

Keyword(s):

Circadian Rhythm ◽

Driving Force ◽

Bright Light ◽

Light Therapy ◽

Bright Light Therapy ◽

The Past ◽

Search Terms ◽

Circadian Rhythm Disorder ◽

Rhythm Disorder

Sleep is an essential component of overall human health but is so tightly regulated that when disrupted can cause or worsen certain ailments. An important part of this process is the presence of the well-known hormone, melatonin. This compound assists in the governing of sleep and circadian rhythms. Previous studies have postulated that dysregulation of melatonin rhythms is the driving force behind sleep and circadian disorders. A computer-aided search spanning the years of 2015–2020 using the search terms melatonin, circadian rhythm, disorder yielded 52 full text articles that were analyzed. We explored the mechanisms behind melatonin dysregulation and how it affects various disorders. Additionally, we examined associated therapeutic treatments including bright light therapy (BLT) and exogenous forms of melatonin. We found that over the past 5 years, melatonin has not been widely investigated in clinical studies thus there remains large gaps in its potential utilization as a therapy.

Download Full-text

Morning bright light therapy: a helpful tool for reducing comorbid symptoms of affective and behavioral dysregulation in juvenile depressed inpatients? A pilot trial

Zeitschrift für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie ◽

10.1024/1422-4917/a000442 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 34-41 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Sarah Bogen ◽

Tanja Legenbauer ◽

Stephanie Gest ◽

Martin Holtmann

Keyword(s):

Pilot Trial ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Bright Light ◽

Light Therapy ◽

Bright Light Therapy ◽

Circadian Phase ◽

Behavioral Dysregulation ◽

Sleep Parameters ◽

Circadian Effect ◽

Dysregulation Profile

Abstract. Objective: In recent years, bright light therapy (BLT) has been used to treat depression and to stabilize circadian rhythms. In this study we evaluated whether it is also helpful for comorbid symptoms of affective and behavioral dysregulation in depressive inpatients. Method: This article reports a secondary analysis comparing two subgroups of depressive participants with comorbid affective and behavioral dysregulation, captured with the dysregulation-profile of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-DP; n = 16 vs. n = 11). Participants were randomly allocated to active BLT (10,000 lux) or control BLT (approx. 100 lux), and received 45 minutes of BLT for 2 weeks. SDQ-DP scores, sleep parameters, and circadian preference were assessed at baseline, after the intervention, and 3 weeks later. Results: No direct effects on SDQ-DP scores were observed. Sleep improved in both conditions. Only in the active BLT condition was a circadian phase advance found. Correlation and regression analyses indicated an indirect, circadian effect for improved SDQ-DP scores. Conclusions: The data of this pilot trial should be considered preliminary and merely descriptive. Further research is warranted. 

Download Full-text