Mental Health News
A research team at the University of Arizona Health Sciences explored how morning blue light therapy can successfully treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study is published in the journal Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience.
The Study
The researchers conducted a comprehensive assessment of daily morning blue-wavelength light exposure on individuals with clinical PTSD. They examined the participants’ neurobiological, autonomic, and behavioral outcomes which are manifestations of the benefits of blue light therapy.
The Findings
The results revealed that morning blue light treatment improves sleep and reduces the severity of symptoms in people suffering from stress- and trauma-related mental disorders, particularly PTSD.
One of the lead researchers, William S. Killgore, elaborated: “This research is exciting and unique because it points to an easy-to-use method for helping those with PTSD to retain the benefits of therapy long after the treatment ends. Morning blue light treatment improves sleep complaints, symptom severity, and retention of fear extinction memory in post-traumatic stress disorder.”
To Know More You May Refer To
Vanuk, J. R., Pace-Schott, E. F., Bullock, A., Esbit, S., Dailey, N. S., & Killgore, W. D. S. (2022). Morning blue light treatment improves sleep complaints, symptom severity, and retention of fear extinction memory in post-traumatic stress disorder. Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience, 16, 886816. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2022.886816