Sleep disorders are common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and seem to be strongly associated with depression. It has been suggested that sleep disorders as well as depression are caused by a disturbed circadian rhythm. Indeed, PD patients are prone to misalignment of their circadian rhythm due to various factors, and many patients with PD display a phase advance of their circadian rhythm. Current treatment options for sleep disorders and depression in patients with PD are limited and can have serious side effects; alternative treatments are therefore badly needed. Bright light therapy (BLT) restores circadian rhythmicity effectively in mood- and sleep-disturbed patients without PD. The few studies that focused on the efficacy of BLT in patients with PD demonstrated a positive effect of BLT not only on sleep and mood but also on motor function. More research on the neurobiology and efficacy of BLT in PD is warranted. © 2012 Sonja Rutten et al.
CITATION STYLE
Rutten, S., Vriend, C., Van Den Heuvel, O. A., Smit, J. H., Berendse, H. W., & Van Der Werf, Y. D. (2012). Bright light therapy in parkinson’s disease: An overview of the background and evidence. Parkinson’s Disease. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/767105
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