"The Benefits Of Bright Light Therapy For Hospital Patients" - Lucette Lagnado
Once an afterthought, lighting is getting attention as researchers see how it affects a person’s mood, energy, and sleep. A clinical trial at Mount Sinai Health System is testing whether brighter lights in cancer patients’ rooms in the mornings can make them feel less tired and depressed and help them sleep through the night. Phillip Christian Smith, a 48-year-old actor and playwright, took part in the Mount Sinai trial when he was hospitalized in September for multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood. Every morning at seven o’clock, Mr. Smith says, an intense light shone from the fixture beside his bed. The Sinai research’s working hypothesis is that strong light affects patients’ circadian rhythms, helping them sleep better. William Redd, MD, professor of oncological sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, noted that the dim light in hospital rooms doesn’t cause patient’s problems. Their cancer and tough treatments are what trigger depression, fatigue and sleep problems. Even so, he said, “it is quite possible the hospital lighting makes it worse.” The researchers plan to present their findings in November at the International Congress of Behavioral Medicine’s annual meeting in Santiago, Chile.
- William H. Redd, PhD, Professor, Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Additional coverage:
Becker’s Hospital Review