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Light Therapy for University Students
Sponsor: Reykjavik University
Summary
The effects of light therapy on well-being among university students was investigated. A three-week intervention study examined whether the use of light glasses improved sleep quality and concentration and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety among university students. First, a questionnaire was administered to about 130 students to screen for sleep problems. Based on the responses, those with the most sleep problems were invited to participate in the intervention study, which resulted in 39 participants in total. Although studies of light therapy for sleep problems and depression among patients have yielded positive results, the use of light has not been studied much among healthy individuals. The intervention study used glasses that project light in two intensities and participants were randomized into two groups with different intensities of light. The aim of the study was to: a) compare the effects of different light intensities on sleep and concentration and b) investigate whether light therapy influences symptoms of depression and anxiety among university students. The study is expected to increase knowledge of light therapy among healthy individuals, and if the treatment proves successful, it is an easy and inexpensive way to increase well-being among university students.
Official title: Effects of Light Therapy on Well-being of University Students: A Pilot Study
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
39
Start Date
2019-03-06
Completion Date
2019-04-08
Last Updated
2026-06-25
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Light Glasses (Experimental)
The circadian-effective light glasses used by the experimental group (BL) emitted narrowband (peak lambda = 470 nm) blue light with an irradiance of 250 μW/cm2 (120 lux). The light glasses emit light from LEDs at a distance of 15 millimeters (15mm, 0.015.) from the eye. The device is classified as safe for the eyes in accordance with the international standard IEC 62471 and complies with the United States of America's FCC marking, and is designed to be worn on the participant's head, similar to a pair of regular glasses. For safety purposes, the light glasses do not contain UV or infra-red light. Brand: AYO glasses.
Light Glasses (Comparison)
The circadian-ineffective sham glasses (DL) emitted blue light with an irradiance of 2.5 μW/cm2 (1.16 lux). The light glasses emit light from LEDs at a distance of 15 millimeters (15mm, 0.015.) from the eye. The device is classified as safe for the eyes in accordance with the international standard IEC 62471 and complies with the United States of America's FCC marking, and is designed to be worn on the participant's head, similar to a pair of regular glasses. For safety purposes, the light glasses do not contain UV or infra-red light. Brand: AYO glasses.
Locations (1)
Department of Psychology, Reykjavík University
Reykjavik, Iceland