What Are the Different Types of Bright Light Therapy?
Light therapy has been demonstrated to assist those suffering from sleep disorders that disrupt their circadian rhythms, such as late insomnia. It may also benefit those who travel frequently and experience jet lag.
The most commonly used type is bright light therapy. This involves sitting in front of a device that emits intense illumination for an established amount of time each day – your doctor will advise how much and for how long to use it for.
Sun exposure at the correct time of day can help treat certain sleep disorders and mood conditions, though this is not the same as using a bright light box. For instance, some people use models of the sun that gradually get brighter and dims to simulate sunrise; this has been known to be highly effective.
Some of the most widespread types of bright light therapy include:
Light therapy is a type of sleep treatment that involves using either an at-home lightbox or getting sunlight at certain times of day to help with sleeping difficulties. It often works in combination with other treatments like antidepressants or sleeping pills to provide additional support.
Patients with various sleep issues, such as insomnia, sleep apnea or shift work disorder may benefit from taking this medication. Furthermore, people with other conditions that could affect their ability to rest like depression or fibromyalgia may also benefit from it.
Light therapy is a popular form of treatment that utilizes a special box that emits 10,000 lux of light, 30 times brighter than your average office light source. You sit in front of it for around 20 minutes, though depending on your condition and which box type you use, sessions may last longer or shorter depending on its effectiveness.
Bright light therapy works best in the morning, typically used within an hour after waking up. However, it may also be used later if your doctor prescribes it.
Another form of light therapy is a device that gradually brightens a dark room to help you awaken in the morning. This may be more successful early in the day when hormone levels are higher.
Though its exact cause remains unclear, light therapy appears to have beneficial effects for many people with sleep disorders and mood disorders. It’s believed that light therapy works by helping reset your body’s clock, enabling you to fall asleep at the correct time each night and remain asleep through out the night.
Studies have demonstrated that light therapy can be successful for treating delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD), a condition marked by irregular sleep onset times that interfere with daily schedules and social obligations. Not only does this condition impact your health and performance at school or work, but it also significantly lowers quality of life.
This study explored the effects of afternoon and evening light exposure on sleep outcomes for older adults with insomnia. After six days of bright light therapy, those in the morning light group slept significantly longer than their counterparts, as measured by EEG-derived sleep outcome measures.