What about recent light box news?

Last month another study on light therapy revealed that it could even lift the moods and cognitive performance of physically and mentally healthy people. The study was conducted by wearing a headset that would shine bright, full-spectrum light in the ear canal, directly to the photosensitive brain tissue of healthy participants.  Several series of the test were conducted, first on National Hockey League players, and next on a group of 41 students.  Participants received light therapy daily for 12 minutes a day over the course of three weeks. Their cognitive performance was evaluated by their reaction time to visual stimulus games.  The student subjects improved their reaction time by 25 to 50 percent compared to their prior performance and the control group.  The earlier study showed the hockey players also improved their reaction times by 25 to 30 percent compared to prior performances.  The study’s findings suggest that light therapy can have a significant effect on the moods and cognitive abilities of high-functioning people, suggesting that it could help actually prevent mental illness.  

Can bright light therapy be used for sleeping disorders?

Light therapy is also a known treatment for circadian rhythm sleep disorders, where the pattern of sleep-wake is out of sync with the patient’s external environment. That can lead to fatigue and deterioration in cognitive performance.  Appropriately timed bright light therapy can help reset the timing of wake and sleep.  By improving sleep disturbances, the symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD should diminish since they are all closely linked. 

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Can light therapy be used for psoriasis?

Light therapy or phototherapy, as it is typically referred to for the treatment of psoriasis, uses several types of light to reduce skin plaques by exposing them to ultraviolet light on a regular basis.  Phototherapy to treat psoriasis requires medical supervision and is typically performed at the doctor’s office, although home units are sometimes used.  There are many different methods of phototherapy including laser treatments, tanning beds, and combinations of light rays.  A dermatologist should prescribe the best method for you, which may combine photo therapy with topical treatments and systemic medications. 

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Does light therapy cause tanning?

Light therapy shouldn’t cause any tanning since most light boxes shield out the ultraviolet light that causes tanning.  On rare occasions a patient with sensitive skin will experience some redness, which can be eliminated with filters and alternating bulbs.   

Sources:

n.p. (2012, August 30). "Bright Light Therapy Improves Cognitive Performance And Mood For Healthy People." Medical News Today. Retrieved from