Light therapy with boxes or glasses to counteract effects of acute sleep deprivation

Abstract

Sleep deprivation, in the context of shift work, is an increasing major public health issue. We aimed to determine whether early light administration can counteract sleep deprivation effects, and to compare LED-glasses with a traditional light therapy box. This cross-over design study included 18 individuals exposed to light therapy for 30 minutes at 5 am after one night of complete sleep deprivation, to mimic the night shift condition. Individuals were randomly exposed to 10,000 Lux light box, 2,000 Lux LED blue-enriched glasses, and control (ambient dim-light at 8 lux). Alertness, cognition and mood were assessed throughout the night and following morning. Five women and 13 men (mean 24.78 year old) presented with a progressive and increasing alteration of alertness, cognition, and mood during each sleep deprivation. A rebound was observed at 8 am resulting from the circadian drive overriding cumulative sleep homeostatic effects. Morning light significantly improved sleepiness and sustained attention from 5 to 7 am. These effects were comparable between devices and significantly different from control. Both devices were overall well and similarly tolerated. Early morning light therapy in the condition of sleep loss may have broad practical applications to improve sleepiness, sustained attention and subsequent risk of accidents.

Validity and Usage of the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) in a French Population of Patients with Depression, Bipolar Disorders and Controls

“…Light also acts on the sleep homeostasis process by increasing the sleep intensity [ 69 ]. In addition, it has been demonstrated that LT increases alertness [ 70 ], including after a night of sleep deprivation and a morning exposition to LT [ 71 ]. LT has also been shown to improve sleepiness and sustained attention, among other cognitive functions [ 67 , 71 ].…”

Light Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT+) for Insomnia and Fatigue During Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…CBT + comprised one 60-minute face-to-face session at the PMCC Chemotherapy Day Unit; one 20-minute telephone call at study mid-point and seven, weekly CBT-I content emails. Light boxes and glasses produce comparable effects 38 . Participants wore Luminette® light glasses for 20 minutes (per manufacturer recommendation) each morning at the brightest setting (see Supplementary methods).…”

A Growing Link between Circadian Rhythms, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Alzheimer’s Disease

“…The SCN mainly receives light signals, so the optimization of daily light exposure can be used to increase circadian synchrony [ 118 ]. Bright light in the morning (bright light therapy, BLT) has been used as a treatment for mood disorders, depression and circadian abnormalities, including shift work and sleep disorders [ 119 , 120 ]. High-intensity light exposure daily in the morning contributed to the proper function of the circadian system and, therefore, lowered body weight and improved glucose tolerance in sand rats [ 121 ].…”