The effect of light exposure on insomnia and nocturnal movement in Parkinson's disease: an open label, retrospective, longitudinal study

[Bolt_Upright]

The effect of light exposure on insomnia and nocturnal movement in Parkinson's disease: an open label, retrospective, longitudinal study 2018 sci-hub.ru/10.1016/j.sleep....

Abstract

Insomnia, hypersomnia and REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RSBD) during sleep are major problems for patients suffering from Parkinson's disease (PD) but they are also used to predict its onset. While these secondary symptoms detract from the quality of life in PD patients, few treatment options are available due to limited efficacy or risk of complicating the treatment regimen. Light therapy (LT) has been suggested as a strategy for sleep disorders but it has only been implemented recently for use in PD. An open label, retrospective study was undertaken where PD patients had been undergoing LT, using polychromatic light, for four months to 15 years prior. It was found that 1 h exposure to light, just prior to retiring, significantly improved insomnia and reduced RSBD in as little as one month after commencing LT. In addition, the improvement was maintained as long as LT was continued over a four to six year period. The efficacy of LT in alleviating these sleep related conditions was not compromised by time since diagnosis or age of the patient. These results intimate the value of long term application of non-invasive techniques such as LT for treating sleep disorders in PD and justify further controlled trials on the long term efficacy of LT.

[Bolt_Upright]

Light Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease

apdaparkinson.org/article/l...

[stevew999 in reply to Bolt_Upright]

07 January 2022: Meta-Analysis

Efficacy and Safety of Light Therapy as a Home Treatment for Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson Disease: A Meta-Analysis

Wenjie Sun1AE, Junqiang Yan1AFG*, Jiannan Wu1BC, Hongxia Ma1BD

DOI: 10.12659/MSM.935074

Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935074

Authors information Article notes Copyright and License information

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Non-visual effects of the retina have been increasingly confirmed in developing Parkinson disease (PD). Light therapy (LT) has been proven to be an effective non-pharmacotherapy for improving the prognosis of PD, but the pathway of action is unclear, and there is a lack of a unified and standardized LT regimen. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of various LT measures in improving motor and non-motor symptoms in patients with idiopathic PD via a meta-analysis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: CENTRAL, EMBASE, CINAHL, PEDro, and PubMed were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the efficacy of LT for PD. Cochrane’s Risk of bias tool and the GRADE approach were used to assess evidence quality. A meta-analysis and subgroup analyses evaluated the differences in efficacy produced by the different LT protocols. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) verified the analyses outcome and quantified the statistical relevance of the data.[color=#0e101a] [/color]

RESULTS: Patients receiving LT had significantly better scores for motor function (MD=-4.68, 95% Cl -8.25 to -1.12, P=0.01) compared with the control group exposed to dim-red light. In addition, in terms of non-motor symptoms, depression (SMD=-0.27, 95% Cl -0.52 to -0.02, P=0.04) and sleep disturbance-related scores (MD=3.45, 95% Cl 0.12 to 6.78, P=0.04) similarly showed significant optimization after receiving LT.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis show strong evidence that LT has significant efficacy on motor and non-motor function in PD patients.

KEYWORDS: Parkinson Disease, Phototherapy, Retinal Diseases, Humans, Prognosis, Symptom Assessment, Treatment Outcome

Conclusions

The overall evidence shows that LT is a noninvasive, non-pharmacological, and well-tolerated intervention. This review shows significant improvements in motor function, depression, and sleep disorders after LT treatment. Even if we believe that LT can improve excessive daytime sleepiness, the existing evidence is insufficient to form firm conclusions, and more experiments are needed. We argue that LT may reduce the time to onset of dopamine replacement medications, or can be used as a levodopa-sparing strategy or adjuvant therapy. Considering its economic benefits and good compliance, we think it would be popular with families. Further research is needed to verify the benefits of LT for excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and anxiety. Further research is needed to determine the best course of treatment, daily time, dose, light intensity, and wavelength of LT for each symptom.

medscimonit.com/abstract/fu...

[Bolt_Upright]

I can't promise this is a great bright light therapy lamp, but I love it and have already bought two. It is pretty big, it is fairly cheap, and unlike most it has a very solid base with the lamp on an arm that rotates and moves all around. It feels really solid and is really simple to use.

Lastar Light Therapy Lamp, UV-Free 12000 Lux Max at 12", Sun Lamp with 5 Brightness Levels & 4 Color Temperatures & 6 Timer Functions, 180° Free Rotable Heavy Base Smart Plug Sunlight Lamp for Therapy $56

amazon.com/dp/B0B76CVSFL?ps...

[gomelgo]

Could it be the serotonin and melatonin that makes the light therapy help PD? I just saw that someone posted a short youtube about the relationship of melatonin to dopamine. Also, I wonder what is different in the effect of the red light (like the hat contraption) versus the full spectrum light.