A new study published in the journal GeroScience has shown that blue-enriched light therapy in the morning seems to improve sleep quality and daily activity levels in older adults.
The randomized cross-over study lasted 11 weeks and included 36 healthy adults who were age 60 years or older. The structure of the study included one week of baseline measurements, three weeks of self-administered light therapy, and a two-week washout period for different light conditions: a blue-enriched light at a higher intensity and a white light at a lower intensity as a control. Participants completed the light therapy for two hours both in the morning and at night. Throughout the study, various aspects of their sleep were measured, including efficiency and duration. The goal of the study was to see whether light therapy can impact sleep quality and activity levels in older adults.
The results showed that blue light exposure in the morning was beneficial for activity and sleep, especially at higher intensities. However, blue light exposure in the evening made it more difficult to fall asleep and made sleep less efficient. These results indicate that morning blue light exposure is beneficial while evening blue light exposure should be avoided.
The authors stated that carefully timed light exposure could be a powerful tool to improve sleep and daily activity in older adults. In particular, blue light exposure in the mornings is beneficial. Additionally, maximizing light exposure during daylight hours may improve activity levels and sleep rhythms. Sleep is a key component of heart health that is often overlooked. Most adults should aim for 7–9 hours of restful sleep per night, which has been shown to improve brain function and lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease.
Sources: GeroScience, Science Daily
