Innovative Light Therapy in Psychiatric Care: A Study from Norway

In Trondheim, Norway, a psychiatric ward is exploring the potential of circadian lighting to enhance mental health treatment. Researchers have implemented a dynamic lighting system that filters out blue wavelengths in the evening, which are known to disrupt the body's circadian rhythm. This innovative approach aims to address the link between circadian disruption and various mental health conditions, including depression and bipolar disorder. Håvard Kallestad, a consultant psychologist at St Olavs Hospital, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “Many patients with severe mental illness have circadian disruption, and we wanted to see whether we could do something about this by changing the light system.”

The Guardian

The study involved 476 patients admitted for short-term psychiatric intensive care, suffering from conditions such as psychosis, mania, severe depression, and suicidal thoughts. Participants were divided into two groups: one experienced the blue-depleted lighting environment, while the other was subjected to standard hospital lighting. The results, presented at the International Society for Bipolar Disorders meeting and published in PLOS Medicine, indicated that patients in the circadian-adapted ward exhibited greater clinical improvement and reduced aggressive behavior, despite similar lengths of stay. Kallestad noted, “We saw that there was an additional gain from being in this blue-light environment in terms of how many patients were in a mild disease state at discharge.”

The Guardian

The findings suggest that adjusting the lighting environment in psychiatric wards could significantly improve patient outcomes. Prof Derk-Jan Dijk from the University of Surrey highlighted the study's unique aspect, noting that the intervention required minimal effort from patients, as it was integrated into the ward's design. This approach could potentially be scaled to other environments, aligning indoor settings with human biological needs.

The Guardian

The implications of circadian lighting extend beyond psychiatric wards. The UK's National Institute for Health and Care Research is exploring whether similar interventions could benefit individuals in care homes, particularly those with dementia. Prof Anthony Gordon, director of NIHR’s health technology assessment programme, stated, “It’s about determining if we can use light therapy to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and provide a cost-effective, drug-free way to enhance the quality of life in residential care across the country.”

The Guardian

While the study presents promising results, it also raises questions about the generalizability of findings and the need for larger clinical trials to validate the effectiveness of circadian lighting across diverse populations. Prof Colleen McClung from the University of Pittsburgh noted the potential for personalized light therapy, suggesting that wearable devices could help tailor treatments based on individual circadian rhythms.

The Guardian

• “Many patients with severe mental illness have circadian disruption, and we wanted to see whether we could do something about this by changing the light system,” — Håvard Kallestad, Consultant Psychologist

The Guardian

• “Kallestad said: “We saw that there was an additional gain from being in this blue-light environment in terms of how many patients were in a mild disease state at discharge, and the level of improvement that patients had during their admission.” — Håvard Kallestad, Consultant Psychologist

The Guardian

• “It’s about determining if we can use light therapy to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and provide a cost-effective, drug-free way to enhance the quality of life in residential care across the country.” — Prof Anthony Gordon, Director of NIHR’s Health Technology Assessment Programme

The Guardian

• “For example, if someone has circadian rhythms that are delayed, light therapy in the morning will shift rhythms forward. If someone’s rhythms are advanced, light therapy in the afternoon or evening could be beneficial.” — Prof Colleen McClung, Neuroscientist at the University of Pittsburgh

The Guardian