Bright Light Therapy Shows Promise in Promoting Recovery from Mild TBI
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has announced the results of a recent study showing that bright light therapy following Mild TBI (concussion) may improve sleep, cognitive and brain function. The study results were presented at the June 3, 2013 meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC and published in an online supplement to the journal Sleep.
Problems with sleep and fatigue are common following TBI and have received substantial research attention in recent years. The study authors report that at least 50% of individuals with TBI experience some kind of sleep disturbance. Sleep problems are often associated with increased depression and anxiety. “Improving sleep following mild traumatic brain injury,” the authors report, “could prove critical to maximizing recovery from the injury.”
An important finding in the most recent research is that the bright light treatment produced changes in brain activation during a demanding cognitive task, suggesting that this treatment might yield changes in brain function. The May-June 2012 issue of the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation explored the nature, causes and potential treatments for sleep problems following TBI. The most recent study adds to this knowledge.