Bright light therapy improves sleep in older adults

A study conducted as part of the European ENLIGHTENme project suggests that bright light therapy lamps can improve sleep quality and daytime activity levels in older adults. The research, published in the Journal of Pineal Research, focused on city residents who may have limited access to natural daylight due to declining mobility or eyesight.

Researchers recruited over 200 participants aged 63 to 92 from Tartu, Estonia; Bologna, Italy; and Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The study found that artificial bright light helps restore the body’s natural circadian rhythm, which regulates sleep-wake cycles, hormones, and body temperature.

Dr. Daan van der Veen of the University of Surrey noted that insufficient light exposure can lead to disrupted rhythms and increased risks of chronic disease. The findings also highlighted the influence of chronotype, noting that natural ‘larks’ generally experienced better sleep quality than those who prefer staying up late.