PERSONALIZED LIGHT THERAPY FOR NIGHT SHIFT WORK: A PRECISION MEDICINE APPROACH TO REDUCING INSOMNIA AND SLEEPINESS

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

5-1-2024

Publication Title

Sleep

Abstract

Introduction: Night shift workers experience symptoms of excessive sleepiness and insomnia due to misalignment between their circadian clock and work schedule. Circadian misalignment can be corrected using exposure to bright light delivered in accordance with a phase response curve. Our prior data indicate that a light schedule personalized to an individual's melatonin rhythms produces greater reductions in circadian misalignment compared to a one-schedule-fits-all approach. This randomized controlled trial extends prior findings by examining the effect of personalized light therapy on symptoms of shift work disorder. Methods: Individuals with shift work disorder (ICSD-3 diagnostic criteria) were randomized into two conditions: personalized light therapy (n = 14), or a non-personalized light therapy control (n = 7). Personalized light schedules were based on estimates of dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) derived from mathematical modeling of data collected via an Apple Watch. Light schedules were delivered through a mobile app (Arcashift) that updated in accordance with real-time estimates of DLMO. Estimates were confirmed with in-lab DLMO. Participants were provided light blocking glasses and a light box as source of bright light at night. Sleepiness (Karolinska Sleepiness Scale) and insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index) were assessed before and after treatment, and analyses evaluated change scores from pre- to post-treatment. Results: Those in the personalized light therapy group demonstrated decreased insomnia symptoms during daytime sleep (mean = -4.64, SD = 8.03) compared to those in the nonpersonalized control (mean = 3.57, SD = 5.38), p < 0.05. The personalized light therapy group also achieved a decrease in peak sleepiness (mean = -0.21, SD = 0.68) compared to the control (mean = 0.77, SD = 0.76), p < .001. Conclusion: Preliminary results suggest that personalizing light therapy according to the individual's specific circadian phase may be more effective in improving symptoms of insomnia and sleepiness by delivering treatment. Future research should examine other occupational and health outcomes associated with a personalized approach to light therapy.

Volume

47

First Page

A11

Last Page

A12

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