Bright Light Therapy for Treatment of Sleep Problems Following Mild TBI
Abstract
The objective in this project was to facilitate recovery from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) by regulating sleep and circadian rhythms via targeted blue light (BL) exposure. In a pilot study, we found that 30-minutes of daily morning BL for 6-weeks was associated with a significant phase shift in sleep-wake timing, improved daytime sleepiness, enhanced executive functioning, and associated changes in brain structure and function. The present study expanded the original sample by 31 additional participants who underwent the 6-week treatment (Treatment Arm) and included a second sample of healthy normal individuals who underwent a single exposure to BL, followed by functional neuroimaging (Effect Localization Arm). The project has been completed. The Effect Localization Arm showed that BL increased cognitive performance and was associated increased brain activation/neural efficiency. The Treatment Arm confirmed and expanded the pilot findings, suggesting that daily morning BL improved daytime sleepiness and was associated with changes in regional brain volume and functional connectivity. Findings suggest that morning BL can provide a useful adjunctive treatment to facilitate sleep and neurocognitive recovery in patients with mTBI. Further research into this potentially effective treatment for concussion is warranted.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 29, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1097617
Entities
People
- William D. Killgore
Organizations
- University of Arizona