Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology  2008;15(1):12-16

Clinical Applications of Light Therapy for Sleep Disorders.

Chang Ho SOHN

Keywords

Light therapy; Sleep disorders; Circadian rhythm

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Light therapy (also called light treatment or phototherapy) involves scheduled exposure to bright artificial light. Evidence-based treatments for sleep disorders especially for circadian rhythm sleep disorders include light therapy and pharmacotherapy. In clinical practice, many of patients with sleep problems tend to impair circadian rhythmicity. Considering that light is the most potent entraining agent of circadian rhythm, careful use of light therapy can be recommended for patients with several kinds of sleep disorders. I briefly review the possible therapeutic mechanisms and clinical applications of light therapy, focusing on circadian sleep disorders.