The effect of phototherapy on sleep during acute rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To examine the impact of bright white light (BWL) exposure on sleep quality in persons with recent traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design: Randomized, controlled device-sham study Setting: 3 TBI Model System inpatient rehabilitation units Participants: 131 participants (mean 40.9 years, 68% male) Intervention: Intervention group (N = 65) received BWL (1260 lux at 20 inches, 440–480 nanometers length) for 30 minutes each morning at 12–24 inches from the face. Control group (N = 66) received red light (<450 lux, no light between 440 and 480 nanometers) for the same period. Planned intervention was maximum of 10 treatments or until discharge. Main Outcome Measure: Sleep duration and quality using actigraphic recording. Results: There were no differences found between groups on the primary outcomes nor on the secondary outcomes (sleepiness, mood, cooperation with therapy). Conclusion: BWL treatment during acute rehabilitation hospitalization does not appear to impact sleep or measures commonly associated with sleep. While studies have indicated common complaints of sleep difficulties after TBI, we were unable to document an effect for phototherapy as a treatment. With growing evidence of the effect of sleep on neural repair and cognition, further study is needed to understand the nature and treatment of sleep disorders after TBI. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02214212.