Light Exposure for Cognitive Function

Overseen By Hanne M Hoffmann, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 1

Sponsor: Michigan State University

Must not be taking: Antidepressants, Antibiotics, Sleep meds, Pain meds

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Epilepsy, Photophobia, Eye diseases, others

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 3 weeks

300 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If you are taking medications that cause sensitivity to light, such as certain antidepressants, antibiotics, sleep medications, or pain meds, you may not be eligible to participate in the trial.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Light emitting glasses, Light therapy glasses, Bright light therapy glasses for cognitive function?

Research suggests that light therapy can improve cognitive functions like attention and memory in healthy individuals, and has shown potential benefits in people with dementia and traumatic brain injuries. These findings indicate that light therapy might help enhance cognitive performance. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is light therapy safe for humans?

Light therapy is generally safe for humans, but some people may experience mild side effects like headaches, eye strain, irritability, and nausea. Studies have shown that it can be used safely in both healthy individuals and those with conditions like dementia, with no major adverse effects reported. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

How does light therapy using glasses differ from other treatments for cognitive function?

Light therapy glasses offer a unique approach by using bright light to potentially improve cognitive functions like attention and memory, as seen in studies with healthy subjects and those with dementia. Unlike traditional medications, this treatment involves wearing glasses that emit light, which can help reset the biological clock and enhance alertness, especially in conditions like sleep deprivation. ^{1 3 9 10 11}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Humans are constantly exposed to a variety of light types, created naturally or through artificial means. Light exposure captured by the eyes impacts many physiological functions in humans, including but not limited to cognitive output, fatigue levels, and mood regulation. The level of impact on cognitive learning from different types of light on undergraduate adult students remains unclear.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for healthy adult undergraduate students who are interested in how different types of light exposure might affect their cognitive functions, like memory and attention.

Inclusion Criteria

Current Michigan State University (MSU) Undergraduate Student

Average bedtime 9:30 pm - 2:00 am, 6 out of 7 days a week

Willingness to measure and report fatigue levels

Exclusion Criteria

Previous head injuries (e.g., concussions)

I have been diagnosed with insomnia or another sleep disorder.

I am under 18 years old.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants wear light-enriched glasses for a single session (20 minutes) to assess cognitive function

3 weeks

1 visit per week (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in cognitive function, mood, and fatigue after treatment

3 weeks

1 visit per week (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Light emitting glasses

Trial Overview The study is testing the effects of wearing light-emitting glasses on cognitive function. Participants will use these glasses to see if there's any change in mental performance or mood.

Participant Groups

Group I: Light glasses type 1 Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Experimental light emitting glasses.

Group II: No glasses control Active Control 1 Intervention

No glasses control group

Group III: Light glasses type 2 Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Placebo light emitting glasses

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Michigan State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

202

Recruited

687,000+

Findings from Research

Light therapy is used to help older individuals with dementia by resetting their biological clock, enhancing cognitive function, and reducing behavioral symptoms, but the studies on this treatment often lack detailed descriptions of the lighting used.

A review of 12 studies revealed that the methodological quality is generally poor, with insufficient and incorrect metrics for describing lighting, suggesting that involving a light engineer could improve the robustness of future research.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Shedding a Light on Phototherapy Studies with People having Dementia: A Critical Review of the Methodology from a Light Perspective. Aarts, MP., Aries, MB., Diakoumis, A., et al.[2018]

Ocular Light Therapy (OLT) is gaining recognition as an effective treatment for psychological and psychosomatic disorders, utilizing light projection through color filters to stimulate the eyes.

This therapy works by creating photocurrent stimulation in the brain's cortical and hypothalamic systems, potentially influencing mood and psychological well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Light relief: the case for ocular light therapy. Deppe, A.[2005]

In a pilot study involving 20 healthy subjects (10 treated with bright light and 10 as a control), those receiving light therapy showed significantly greater improvements in attention, memory, and language performance on cognitive tests over 5 days.

The results indicate that short-term exposure to bright light may enhance cognitive functions, suggesting a potential therapeutic use for light therapy in improving neurocognitive performance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pilot study of light therapy and neurocognitive performance of attention and memory in healthy subjects. Bersani, G., Marconi, D., Limpido, L., et al.[2008]

Light therapy (LT) is widely recommended by office-based physicians, with 67.3% endorsing its use, particularly among psychiatrists (91.6%), indicating its acceptance as a treatment option for various disorders.

LT is considered appropriate for a range of conditions beyond seasonal affective disorder (SAD), including non-seasonal depression and jet lag, suggesting that its application could be expanded in clinical practice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of Light Therapy by Office-Based Physicians. Winkler-Pjrek, E., Spies, M., Baldinger-Melich, P., et al.[2019]

Transcranial LED treatments showed significant cognitive improvements in two chronic TBI patients, with one patient increasing her sustained attention from 20 minutes to 3 hours after eight weekly sessions.

Both patients experienced notable recovery in cognitive functions and quality of life, suggesting that transcranial LED therapy could be a promising home-based treatment for chronic TBI, warranting further controlled studies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improved cognitive function after transcranial, light-emitting diode treatments in chronic, traumatic brain injury: two case reports. Naeser, MA., Saltmarche, A., Krengel, MH., et al.[2021]

A study involving healthy young adults found that a single 30-minute session of bright light therapy (10,000 lux) did not lead to significantly more side effects compared to dim red light exposure, suggesting it is safe for short-term use in this population.

While both groups reported slight increases in eye strain and blurred vision, these effects were not significantly higher in the bright light therapy group, indicating that adverse effects may be less common in non-clinical populations than previously thought.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The acute side effects of bright light therapy: a placebo-controlled investigation. Botanov, Y., Ilardi, SS.[2023]

Bright light therapy is effective for treating seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and has potential applications for other conditions like circadian sleep phase disorders and jet lag, but the safety of different light sources is a concern.

The study analyzed various light therapy fixtures, revealing that many emit unknown spectral emissions that could cause ocular damage, leading to recommendations for safer lamp choices and monitoring for patients undergoing prolonged treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bright light therapy in focus: lamp emission spectra and ocular safety. Remé, CE., Rol, P., Grothmann, K., et al.[2007]

The study involved 60 patients with mild to moderate dementia, who received low power transcranial near-infrared (tNIR) light treatment for 8 weeks, showing significant cognitive improvements without reported adverse effects.

Patients treated with tNIR light experienced an average increase of 4.8 points on the MMSE and reported better sleep, reduced anxiety, and improved mood, indicating the treatment's potential benefits for both patients and caregivers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Transcranial Near Infrared Light Stimulations Improve Cognition in Patients with Dementia. Nizamutdinov, D., Qi, X., Berman, MH., et al.[2021]

Light therapy is an effective, evidence-based treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder, influencing circadian rhythms that affect sleep, mood, and cognition, based on 40 years of clinical trials.

For optimal results, light therapy should use devices that provide 10,000 lux of white light for 30-60 minutes in the early morning, with ongoing monitoring to adjust treatment as needed and manage any side effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

CME: Light Therapy: Why, What, for Whom, How, and When (And a Postscript about Darkness). Wirz-Justice, A., Terman, AM.[2022]

The study tested goggles emitting 10,000-lux light with reduced short-wavelength content (30% and 50% cuts) and found that the 30%-cut light significantly decreased subjective sleepiness and improved sleep quality in six healthy young males over four days.

No safety issues were detected, as participants showed no abnormalities in vision tests, suggesting that these goggles may provide a safe and effective way to enhance alertness without harming the retina.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Bright Light with Reduced Blue Light on Sleepiness on Rising: A Small Exploratory Study. Miura, J., Yuasa, T., Sugai, Y., et al.[2020]

In a study involving 18 participants, early morning light therapy using either a 10,000 Lux light box or 2,000 Lux LED blue-enriched glasses significantly improved alertness, cognition, and mood after a night of complete sleep deprivation.

Both light therapy devices were equally effective and well-tolerated, suggesting that early light exposure can be a practical solution to counteract the negative effects of sleep deprivation, especially for shift workers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Light therapy with boxes or glasses to counteract effects of acute sleep deprivation. Comtet, H., Geoffroy, PA., Kobayashi Frisk, M., et al.[2021]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Shedding a Light on Phototherapy Studies with People having Dementia: A Critical Review of the Methodology from a Light Perspective. [2018]

2. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Light relief: the case for ocular light therapy. [2005]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pilot study of light therapy and neurocognitive performance of attention and memory in healthy subjects. [2008]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of Light Therapy by Office-Based Physicians. [2019]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improved cognitive function after transcranial, light-emitting diode treatments in chronic, traumatic brain injury: two case reports. [2021]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The acute side effects of bright light therapy: a placebo-controlled investigation. [2023]

7. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bright light therapy in focus: lamp emission spectra and ocular safety. [2007]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Transcranial Near Infrared Light Stimulations Improve Cognition in Patients with Dementia. [2021]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

CME: Light Therapy: Why, What, for Whom, How, and When (And a Postscript about Darkness). [2022]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Bright Light with Reduced Blue Light on Sleepiness on Rising: A Small Exploratory Study. [2020]

11. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Light therapy with boxes or glasses to counteract effects of acute sleep deprivation. [2021]