Randomized, DIM Light Controlled, Crossover test of Morning Bright Light Therapy for Rest-Activity Rhythm Disorders in Patients with Vascular Dementia and Dementia of Alzheimer's type

Abstract Bright light therapy is an effective treatment option for seasonal and non-seasonal affective disorders. However up to now, no study has investigated effects of dynamic bedroom lighting in hospitalized patients with major depression. A bedroom lighting system, which automatically delivered artificial dawn and dusk and blue-depleted nighttime lighting (DD-N lighting) was installed in a psychiatric ward. Patients with moderate to severe depression were randomly assigned to stay in bedrooms with the new lighting or standard lighting system. Patients wore wrist actimeters during the first two treatment weeks. Additionally, hospitalization duration and daily psychotropic medication were retrieved from patients’ medical charts. Data from thirty patients were analyzed. Patients under DD-N lighting generally woke up earlier (+20 minutes), slept longer (week 1: +11 min; week 2: +27 min) and showed higher sleep efficiency (+2.4%) and shorter periods of nighttime awakenings (-15 minutes). In the second treatment week, patients started sleep and the most active 10-hour period earlier (-33 min and -64 min, respectively). This pilot study gives first evidence that depressed patients’ sleep and circadian rest/activity system may benefit from adjunctive bedroom lighting when starting inpatient treatment.

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Bright Light Therapy: Improved Sensitivity to Its Effects on Rest-Activity Rhythms in Alzheimer Patients by Application of Nonparametric Methods

Chronobiology International ◽

10.3109/07420529908998724 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 505-518 ◽

Cited By ~ 282

Author(s):

Eus J. W. Van Someren ◽

Dick F. Swaab ◽

Christopher C. Colenda ◽

Wayne Cohen ◽

W. Vaughn McCall ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bright Light ◽

Light Therapy ◽

Nonparametric Methods ◽

Bright Light Therapy ◽

Activity Rhythms ◽

Rest Activity

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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. 

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Does bright-light therapy influence autonomic heart-rate parameters?

Journal of Affective Disorders ◽

10.1016/0165-0327(95)00010-k ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 131-137 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

T Rechlin

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Bright Light ◽

Light Therapy ◽

Bright Light Therapy

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If You’re Happy and You Know it Stay Alert: The Effects of Lighting on Vigilance Performance and Affective State

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/1071181321651314 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 854-858

Author(s):

Lauren E. Monroe ◽

Samantha L. Smith

Keyword(s):

Affective State ◽

Light Condition ◽

Bright Light ◽

Extended Period ◽

Light Therapy ◽

Speed Of Information Processing ◽

Attention Tasks ◽

High Workload ◽

Dim Light ◽

Over Time

Vigilance, or sustained attention tasks involve detecting critical signals, embedded amid more frequent neutral signals, over an extended period of time. A decline in performance, engagement, and arousal over time, as well as high workload and stress, are common outcomes of such tasks. Exposure to broad-spectrum or short wavelength bright light has been found to positively impact alertness, speed of information processing, and mood, but has not been extensively explored in the vigilance domain. The present study explored whether a light therapy lamp could mitigate the negative vigilance outcomes found in both performance and affective state. Results indicated that the therapy light did not prevent a decline in detection of critical signals over time, nor significantly impact workload, sleepiness, or subjective stress state compared to a dim light condition. However, mood questionnaire results suggest that lighting may impact separate constructs of arousal and tiredness, warranting further research.

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