Seasonal Affective Disorder Trial Using the Feel Bright LightPrimary Investigator: Ivette Emery, Ph.D.
Hypothesis: Bright light treatment of subjects with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) with the Feel Bright Light will significantly improve SAD symptoms with minimal adverse effects.
Study Design: A forward and reverse cross-over design was used. SAD subjects were identified and served as their own controls by altering the light device and placebo device, re-testing at 2-week intervals during January and February.
Method: 10 subjects in New Hampshire were selected into the trial if their SIGH-SAD score indicated significant SAD. Half of the subjects used the 8000 lux blue-green, LED bulb, bright light Feel Bright Light for ˝ hour each morning for 2 weeks, were re-tested, then used a dim red light (< 5 lux) control for 2 weeks and were re-tested. Half started with the dim red control and then used the Feel Bright Light for the 2nd 2-weeks.
Results: 100% using the Feel Bright Light improved their SIGH-SAD test scores - by an average of 58% (from 33.0 to 13.7); 38% improved their scores to below the SAD diagnosis threshold (p<.05). Using the control device improved their SIGH-SAD scores an average of 18% - deemed placebo effect. No adverse effects noted.
Conclusions: Use of the blue-green LED bulb Feel Bright Light for SAD appears to be at least as effective as 10,000 lux white fluorescent bulb light boxes. The Effects of Timed Exposure to Light Therapy: A Fatigue ContermeasurePrimary Investigators: Kristena M. Kons & Lauren Fowler, Ph.D. Weber State University, National Science Foundation
Hypotheses:1) The use of light therapy will adjust the circulating melatonin levels affecting participants’ circadian rhythms so as to phase advance on the morning/day shifts and phase delay on the swing shift.
2) Greater improvement in cognitive performance will occur in the morning/day shifts than in the swing shift with the use of light therapy.
Method: 1) 11 US Air Force air traffic controllers and 2 weapons controllers were tested over 4 shifts and 4 testing sessions using: a) with and without the Feel Bright Light bright light device; b) salivary melatonin tests; c) the ANAM Synthetic Work Task to test multi-tasking performance similar to job requirements.
2) Participants were on rapidly-rotating 5 day/week work schedules:
- mornings (07:00-16:00 hours)
- days (08:00-17:00 hours)
- swings (15:00-23:00 hours)
3) Melatonin data were collected early in the week and also at the beginning of the day & morning shifts (7:00-8:00 hours) and at the end of the swing shifts (21:00-22:00 hours).
4) Fatigue measures were collected before and after bright light treatment.
Results: 1) Use of the bright light prior to the work shift had a significant effect by shift on physiological fatigue (p<.05). Melatonin levels were significantly suppressed during the swing shift, not the morning/day shifts.
2) Multi-tasking scores almost doubled with bright light treatment prior to the morning/day shifts (p<.01).
Discussion: 1) Bright light treatment resulted in improved cognitive performance.
2) The findings demonstrate the feasibility of using an inexpensive and portable bright light device to reduce fatigue-related errors.
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The Effects of Timed Blue-Green Light on Sleep-Wake PatternsPrimary Investigators: LuAnn Nowak, PhDc and Jean E. Davis, PhD
Purpose: 1) Compare the effects of timed blue-green light given in the morning or evening on sleep efficiency (SE), sleep fragmentation (SF), and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in female nursing home patients with AD; 2) Examine the feasibility of delivering bright light via a cap visor light to patients with AD.
Design: A two group repeated measures crossover design with convenience sampling was used. Subjects with AD were randomized to 1 of 2 protocols: morning/evening light or evening/morning light.
Methods: Bright blue-green light was delivered via the Feel Bright Light – a cap visor-mounted device – for 45 minutes at 8000 lux in the morning or evening according to group assignment for 14 days. SE and SF were measured via wrist actigraphy; EDS was measured utilizing the Stanford Sleepiness Scale.
Results: SE and EDS improved with morning light. SF remained unchanged. The Feel Bright Light was well-tolerated for 45 minutes at 8000 lux without side effects. Other findings noted improvements in global function including verbal ability and orientation.
Conclusions:The Feel Bright Light has potential as a safe and manageable bright light delivery method, well-suited to use in individuals with dementia.
The Effects of Using a Bright Light Visor on Post-partum WomenPrimary Investigators: Shih-Yu Lee, RNC, PhD, Georgia State University
Hypotheses: Sleep, fatigue, energy, depression and perceived stress in post-partum women can be improved by bright light treatment with the Feel Bright Light.
Method: 10 post-partum women (7 test and 3 control) with low-birth-weight newborns were treated 3-4 weeks each morning with ˝ hour of bright light via the visor-mounted, Feel Bright Light that delivers 8000 lux of blue-green light into the eyes, or an identical-appearing control device that delivered less than 5 lux of red light. Pre- and post-treatment test scores were obtained using:  | General Sleep Disturbance Scale (GSDS)
| | | | Numerical Rating Scale – Morning Fatigue (NRS-F)
| | Numerical Rating Scale – Morning Energy (NRS-E)
| | Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EDPS)
| | Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) |
Results:Conclusion: Use of the Feel Bright Light in the post-partum period holds promise for improving sleep, decreasing fatigue, increasing energy, decreasing depression and perceived stress.
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