Neurodegenerative

The effect of reducing blue light from smartphone screen on subjective quality of sleep among students.

Chronobiology internationalMarch 6, 2023

View on PubMed DOI: 10.1080/07420528.2023.2173606

AI Summary

This study investigated whether reducing blue light exposure from smartphone screens during nighttime could improve sleep quality among medical students aged 20-22. The researchers used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to measure subjective sleep quality before and after implementing blue light reduction measures. The study found that participants' average PSQI scores improved significantly from 6.83 (indicating poor sleep quality) to 3.93 (indicating good sleep quality) after the intervention. The researchers noted this represented a large effect size, suggesting the intervention had a meaningful impact. The study also reported improvements in daytime functioning and the ability to fall asleep. The research is based on the understanding that artificial light at night, particularly blue light, affects circadian rhythms through specialized retinal cells. While these findings suggest blue light reduction may be beneficial for sleep optimization, the study appears limited to a specific population of young medical students, and the abstract doesn't provide details about the intervention duration or sample size.

Key Findings

PSQI sleep quality scores improved significantly from 6.83 (bad) to 3.93 (good) after reducing blue light exposure
The intervention showed a large effect size, indicating meaningful improvement in subjective sleep quality
Students experienced improved daytime functioning following the blue light reduction intervention
Participants reported improved ability to fall asleep after reducing nighttime blue light exposure from smartphones

Abstract

The exposure of humans to artificial light at night (ALAN) with predominant blue part of the visible spectrum is strongly influencing circadian rhythm and sleep through melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells (RGC). We hypothesized that reducing the amount of emitted blue light from screens of mobile phones during the night will increase sleep quality in our student population. The aim of the work was to investigate the effect of reducing blue light from smartphone screen during the night on subjective quality of sleep among students of medicine. The target population was students of medicine aged 20 to 22 years old of both sexes. The primary outcome of the study was subjective sleep quality, assessed by the Serbian version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The mean total PSQI score before intervention was 6.83 ± 2.73 (bad), while after the intervention the same score was statistically significant reduced to 3.93 ± 1.68 (good) with large effect size. The study has shown that a reduction of blue light emission from LED backlight screens of mobile phones during the night leads to improved subjective quality of sleep in students, as well as improvement in daytime functioning and going to sleep.

Authors

Pavle Randjelović, Nikola Stojanović, Ivan Ilić, Dragan Vučković

Related Protocol

Blueprint Sleep Optimization

Study Details

Health Domain: Neurodegenerative
Journal: Chronobiology international
Published: March 6, 2023
Authors: 4
Key Findings: 4

Neurodegenerative
Sleep physiology, pathophysiology, and sleep hygiene.
Progress in cardiovascular diseasesJan 2023
AI Summary
This comprehensive review examines sleep's fundamental role in health optimization and provides evidence-based recommendations for improving sleep quality. The researchers highlight that quality sleep supports multiple biological functions including cardiovascular health, mental health, cognition, memory consolidation, immunity, reproductive health, and hormone regulation. The study identifies common sleep problems including insomnia, sleep apnea, and circadian rhythm disorders that can contribute to significant health issues. The authors emphasize that proper sleep hygiene through behavioral modifications represents the most effective long-term approach to sleep improvement. They provide specific recommendations including maintaining 7-9 hours of sleep, consistent sleep/wake schedules, regular bedtime routines, exercise, and contemplative practices. The review also identifies substances and behaviors that negatively impact sleep quality, including late-day caffeine, alcohol, heavy meals, and light exposure, which are associated with fragmented, poor-quality sleep. This research directly supports Blueprint Sleep Optimization by providing evidence-based strategies for enhancing sleep duration and quality.
Read Full Study
Blueprint Sleep Optimization PubMed DOI
Neurodegenerative
The effects of light therapy on sleep problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Sleep medicine reviewsOct 2016
AI Summary
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of light therapy for various sleep problems, analyzing 53 studies with 1,154 participants total. The research found that light therapy demonstrates moderate effectiveness for treating sleep problems generally, with small to medium effect sizes. The study suggests light therapy is particularly beneficial for circadian rhythm sleep disorders, insomnia, and sleep problems related to Alzheimer's disease and dementia. For insomnia specifically, researchers found that higher light intensity treatments showed larger effects. The analysis revealed that effects were smaller when examining only randomized controlled trials for circadian rhythm disorders, and studies with more female participants showed larger effects for dementia-related sleep problems. While the findings support light therapy as an effective intervention, the researchers noted indication of publication bias and emphasized that most effect sizes were in the small to medium range. This research is relevant to morning sunlight exposure as it demonstrates the broader therapeutic potential of light-based interventions for sleep regulation.
Read Full Study
Morning Sunlight Exposure PubMed DOI
Neurodegenerative
[Light and Medicine].
Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)Dec 2016
AI Summary
This research discusses the fundamental role of light in regulating biological functions through our internal body clocks. The study suggests that Earth's rotation has led to the development of biological clocks in all living organisms, which regulate bodily functions through 24-hour circadian rhythms and seasonal patterns. The researchers emphasize that these light-driven rhythmic patterns have significant impacts on both health and disease, affecting both diagnostic approaches and treatment strategies. Notably, the study indicates that bright light therapy has demonstrated therapeutic effectiveness, particularly for seasonal affective disorder, where it may be even more effective than certain antidepressant medications. This research provides foundational understanding of how light exposure influences our biological systems, though the abstract lacks specific details about study methodology, sample sizes, or duration of light exposure protocols.
Read Full Study
Morning Sunlight Exposure PubMed DOI

Disclaimer: This research summary is for informational purposes only. Always consult the original study and qualified healthcare professionals before making any health decisions based on research findings.

AI Summary

Key Findings

Abstract

Authors

Related Protocol

Research Disclaimer