scholarly journals Stabilization of Circadian Rhythm, Its Augmentation by Bright Light Treatment and Its Importance for ADHD and Depression of Adolescents

2013 ◽  
Vol 04 (03) ◽  
pp. 150-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helmut Niederhofer
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Bright Light ◽  
Light Treatment ◽  
Bright Light Treatment

scholarly journals Bright Light Treatment of Combat-related PTSD: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawn D Youngstedt ◽  
Christopher E Kline ◽  
Alexandria M Reynolds ◽  
Shannon K Crowley ◽  
James B Burch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Treatment Response ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Bright Light ◽  
Light Treatment ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Bright Light Treatment

ABSTRACT Introduction Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent consequence of combat with significant associated morbidity. Available treatments for PTSD have had limitations, suggesting a need to explore alternative or adjuvant treatments. Numerous rationales for bright light treatment of PTSD include its benefits for common PTSD comorbidities of depression, anxiety, and circadian misalignment and its relative ease of use with few side effects. The primary aims of this research were to examine the effects of bright light treatment for combat-related PTSD and associated morbidity. Materials and Methods A randomized controlled trial was performed in N = 69 veterans with PTSD attributable to combat in Afghanistan and/or Iraq. Following a 1-week baseline, participants were randomized to 4 weeks of daily morning bright light treatment (10,000 lux for 30 min/day) or a control treatment (inactivated negative ion generator). At baseline and at the end of treatment, participants were rated blindly on the Clinician Assessed PTSD Scale (CAPS), the Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI), and the Hamilton Depression Scale and rated themselves on the PTSD Checklist-Military (PCL-M). Following baseline and each treatment week, participants completed self-reported scales of state anxiety, depression, and sleep, and sleep and the circadian rhythm of wrist activity were also assessed with wrist actigraphy. Results Compared with the control treatment, bright light elicited significantly greater improvements in the CAPS and CGI-Improvement. The bright light also elicited a significantly greater rate of treatment response (reduction ≥33%) for the CAPS (44.1% vs. 8.6%) and PCL-M (33% vs. 6%), but no participant had remission from PTSD. Changes in depression, anxiety, and sleep did not differ between treatments. Improvement in CAPS was significantly correlated with a phase advance of the circadian rhythm of wrist activity. Conclusions The most comprehensive study on the topic to date indicated significant short-term efficacy of bright light treatment on the primary variables (CAPS and CGI) with clinical relevance (i.e., treatment response) in veterans with chronic PTSD who did not report extremely high habitual light exposure. No significant effects were found for anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbance. Further research is warranted, particularly exploration of circadian phase-shifting mechanisms of bright light for PTSD.

scholarly journals Effects of Light Treatment on Sleep, Cognition, Mood, and Behavior in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 371-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Micaela Mitolo ◽  
Caterina Tonon ◽  
Chiara La Morgia ◽  
Claudia Testa ◽  
Valerio Carelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Bright Light ◽  
Light Treatment ◽  
Intervention Treatment ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Bright Light Treatment

Background: Bright light treatment is a therapeutic intervention mainly used to treat sleep and circadian disturbances in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. Recently, a handful of studies also focused on the effect on cognition and behavior. Conflicting findings are reported in the literature, and no definite conclusions have been drawn about its specific therapeutic effect. Summary: The aim of this review is to provide a critical evaluation of available evidence in this field, highlighting the specific characteristics of effective bright light treatment. Eligible studies were required to assess at least one of the following outcome measures: sleep, cognition, mood, and/or behavior (e.g., depression, agitation). A total of 32 articles were included in this systematic review and identified as research intervention studies about light treatment in AD. The quality of the papers was evaluated based on the US Preventive Service Task Force guidelines. Key Messages: Overall, the current literature suggests that the effects of light treatment in AD patients are mixed and may be influenced by several factors, but with a general trend toward a positive effect. Bright light seems to be a promising intervention treatment without significant adverse effects; therefore, further well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed taking into account the highlighted recommendations.

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