The Effects of Bright Light Therapy on Adolescent's Sleep Quality and Well-being

Summary

Sleep problems are common among adolescents which can have a variety of serious biological, emotional, cognitive and psychological consequences. Numerous studies have shown that adolescents who suffer from insufficient sleep and poor sleep quality experience decreased mental well-being which is a growing concern in modern societies.

Effective interventions that enhance sleep quality among adolescents are lacking. One possible reason for sleep problems among adolescents is disturbance in the body's circadian rhythms. As light is known to be the main coordinating factor in circadian rhythms, light therapy is an auspicious method which aims to entrain the circadian rhythms, thereby enhancing sleep quality and well-being. Indeed, bright light therapy (BLT) has been shown to be a promising treatment to improve sleep and decrease depressive symptoms among different patient groups. However, BLT interventions among healthy adolescents are needed. Therefore, the current study will investigate whether BLT in classrooms of 16 year old students can improve their sleep quality and well-being. The results from the study can be important as it is the first one to examine whether light intensity in the classroom affects sleep and well-being among adolescents. Furthermore, if the hypothesis will be supported, a simple and relatively inexpensive method can be implemented to promote better sleep quality and thus have an extensive effect on adolescents' well-being.

Aim 1 - Assess whether BLT will improve sleep quality of adolescents. Aim 2 - Assess whether BLT will decrease depressive symptoms in adolescents. Aim 3 - Assess whether BLT will improve mood in adolescents.

Conditions

• Sleep Disturbance
• Depression
• Mood
• Circadian Rhythms

Interventions

DEVICE

BWL classrooms (Experimental)

Adolescents in the BWL classrooms will be exposed to the circadian stimulating bright light (600-1000lx) to maintain alertness. The programming of the LED lighting system in the intervention group (BWL) will be tuned to provide equal stimuli to the cone and melanopsin-containing photoreceptors measured at the eye height (1.2 m above floor level for sitting position) approximately in the range 4500 -5500 K (cool white light) or between 600 and 1000 lx.

DEVICE

DWL classrooms (Comparison)

Participants in DWL classrooms will receive conventional light from the same kind of equipment as used for the intervention group, only not applying high circadian stimulation(300lx). In order to replicate conventional lighting in the classrooms, the programming of the new LED lighting system in the control group (DWL) will meet the minimum requirements according to EN12464-181, or at least 300 lx measured at table height for a light source rated at 3000 K (warm white light).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Icelandic Research Fund

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Reykjavik University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Birna Baldursdottir, PhD · Reykjavik University

• Heiddis B. Valdimarsdottir, PhD · Reykjavik University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

15 Years

Max Age

17 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-09-05

Primary Completion

2023-05-31

Completion

2023-05-31

Countries

• Iceland

Study Locations