Open AccessPhase-Shifting Effects of Bright Morning Light as Treatment for Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome
Author(s) -
Norman E. Rosenthal,
Jean R. Joseph-Vanderpool,
Alytia A. Levendosky,
Scott H. Johnston,
Richard P. Allen,
Karen A. Kelly,
E. Souêtre,
Patricia M. Schultz,
Kenneth E. Starz
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
sleep
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.222
H-Index - 207
eISSN - 1550-9109
pISSN - 0161-8105
DOI - 10.1093/sleep/13.4.354
Subject(s) - circadian rhythm , morning , delayed sleep phase , evening , free running sleep , dark therapy , circadian clock , sleep (system call) , entrainment (biomusicology) , phase response curve , chronobiology , medicine , phase (matter) , rhythm , chronotype , light effects on circadian rhythm , endocrinology , audiology , sleep disorder , chemistry , pharmacology , insomnia , physics , organic chemistry , astronomy , computer science , operating system
Bright light has recently been shown to have phase-shifting effects on human circadian rhythms. In this study we applied this effect to 20 patients with delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) who were unable to fall asleep at conventional clock times and had a problem staying alert in the morning. In a controlled treatment study, we found that 2 h of bright light exposure in the morning together with light restriction in the evening successfully phase advanced circadian rhythms of core body temperature and multiple sleep latencies in these patients. This finding corroborates the importance of light for entraining human circadian rhythms.
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