How light therapy can treat Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome

Delayed sleep-phase syndrome (DSPS, also known as delayed sleep-phase disorder (DSPD) or delayed sleep-phase type (DSPT)) is a disorder of the circadian rhythm, where sufferers wake and sleep out of sync with daytime. Often this results in them falling asleep after midnight and having difficulty waking during the morning.

DSPS is often mis-diagnosed as insomnia, but sufferers actual have little problem sleeping - they simply sleep at the wrong time. Often they will fall asleep and wake without a problem. It is particularly prevalent among teenagers, who see their circadian rhythsm delayed during puberty.

Treatment of DSPS

The primary treatment for DSPS is light therapy, which can be complemented with melatonin. The primary problem with light therapy is compliance - with some patients requiring up to 90 minutes to adjust their circadian rhythm it can be hard to fit the therapy into their routine - particularly as it traditionally requires patients to be sat directly in front of the box for the duration of the treatment.

How the Litebook is changing light therapy

The Litebook Elite makes administering light therapy much quicker and easier than ever before. It is just a fraction of the size of regular lamps, and because the peak wavelengths of the LEDs replicate those of sunlight, usage time is reduced to just 15-30 minutes. It has the advantage of not having to be looked directly into, meaning it can be used at an angle while eating breakfast, reading the newspaper or working at a desk. All of this makes it easier for patients to get the therapy they need, leading to increased compliance.

In terms of ongoing costs, the Litebook works out at considerably cheaper than conventional lamps over its lifespan. Ordinary lamps use bulbs that last for approximately 500 hours, whereas the Litebook's LEDs should last for 100,000 hours – or 11 years of constant use. The Litebook also uses 10% of the amount of electricity of regular lamps. The Litebook also features a 2-year warranty, so you can rest assured that the Litebook is not only built to work, but built to last too. Here at Intus we will be on hand to offer any advise, help or support you need to provide your customers with the best support possible.

Clinical research

If you would like to read some research into how light therapy affects the circadian rhythm, we have compiled some articles below:

May 15, 2009	Prospects of using light to aid night shift adjustment
June 24, 2001	Bright Light Facilitates Circadian Adaption Among Night Workers at an Oil Platform
June 24, 2001	Effects of Bright Light on Sleepiness, Sleep and Melatonin in Industrial Work
Jan 1, 1990	Exposure to Bright Light and Dark to Treat Physio Maladaption to Night Work
Jan 1, 2002	Effect of light on sleep and circadian rhythms in demented nursing home patients
Sep 1, 2003	High sensitivity of human circ/mel rhythm to resetting by short wavelength light
Feb 11, 2003	Phase advancing human circadian rhythms with short wavelength light
Jan 1, 2001	Light emitting diodes can be used to phase delay the melatonin rhythm
Jan 1, 2001	Action Spectrum for Melatonin Regulation in Humans

What the Litebook means for your clinic:

• Shorter therapy times
• Much convenient size
• No UV radiation
• Greatly reduced running costs
• Increased compliance
• Reduced appointment frequency

If you need any further information about the Litebook Elite or light therapy in general, you can find more information here on our website, or call us on 0844 504 9999 to discuss how the Litebook can fit in with and enhance your clinic's services. Many other clinics have already been replacing their standard light therapy units with Litebooks, so click below to join the transition.