• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.188-192
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• 1994

The author reports a 32 years old female patient with late luteal phase dysphoric disorder who received evening bright light treatment for 7 consecutive days during the late luteal phase of menstrual cycle. After the treatment, beneficial clinical effects were observed. This result suggests that bright light can be an alternative treatment for LLPDD. However, the placebo effects should be ruled out completely. Further controlled studies with more patients will be needed.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.12-16
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• 2008

Light therapy (also called light treatment or phototherapy) involves scheduled exposure to bright artificial light. Evidence-based treatments for sleep disorders especially for circadian rhythm sleep disorders include light therapy and pharmacotherapy. In clinical practice, many of patients with sleep problems tend to impair circadian rhythmicity. Considering that light is the most potent entraining agent of circadian rhythm, careful use of light therapy can be recommended for patients with several kinds of sleep disorders. I briefly review the possible therapeutic mechanisms and clinical applications of light therapy, focusing on circadian sleep disorders.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.170-176
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• 1998

Nowadays light therapy is accepted practice in the treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder. The author reviewed the practical aspects of light therapy, latest treatment research on optimal parameters of light therapy and the mechanisms of action of light therapy. Therapeutic efficacy of light therapy using light visors & dawn simulators has been suggested but further studies are needed to clarify the efficacy. The treatment most strongly supported by research studies is light therapy using a light box to administer bright white light (2500 lux for 2 hours or 10000 lux for 30 minutes). Although some patients may be selective responders to morning light exposure, the optimal timing of light exposure still remains controversial. In practice, generally the duration of exposure can be increased or decreased as necessary and also the timing of exposure can be splitted (e.g. AM/PM usage) if optimal response is obtained. For most, a positive response of light therapy is usually noted within $4{\sim}5\;days$ and optimal response is obtained within 2 weeks. Generally the relapse of symptom occurs within days of discontinuation of light therapy, so to prevent relapse, light therapy should be continued throughout the winter season for typical seasonal affective disorder. Side effects of light therapy appear to be mild and well tolerated. Several theories for the mechanisms of action of light therapy at the basis of seasonal affective disorder had been suggested but remain still controversial. Further studies on the optimal parameters and the mechanisms of light therapy help us to better understand and treat not only seasonal affective disorders but also chronobiological disorders and nonseasonal affective disorders.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 1999

Objectives: Patients with premenstrual dysphoric disorder(or PMDD) have impairments of the social, occupational or academic function due to psychological or somatic symptoms, which have the characteristic pattern of symptom exacerbation in the week before menses begin and remission shortly after the onset of menses. In the chronobiological view, many researchers have assumed that the etiology of PMDD is the advanced circadian rhythm. It has been suggested that light has a therapeutic effect on PMDD, because evening light results in phase delay of circadian rhythm through the biochemical changes including melatonin. Methods: The authors investigated the therapeutic effect of light therapy on four patients with prospectively diagnosed PMDD by DSM-IV criteria using clinical psychiatric interview, Premenstrual Assessment Form(PAF) and Daily Rating Form(or DRF). In the evening(6:30pm-8:00pm), the 2,500 lux light administered for seven consecutive days during the symptomatic late luteal phase of menstrual cycle. Beck Depression Inventory(or BDI), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression(or HAM-D), Spielberg State Anxiety Inventory(or SA), and DRF were evaluated before and after seven days of light therapy. Results: Premenstrual symptoms of PMDD could be effectively treated with the evening bright light therapy, especially in PMDD patients with atypical symptoms. In addition, the light therapy seemed to more effective on the psychologic symptoms than the somatic symptoms of PMDD. There was no significant side-effect of light therapy, except the transient and mild eye-strain in one case. Conclusions: In spite of the results of limited data from our clinical trial, the authors suggest that the potential use of light therapy as an alternative to the pharmacological management of patients with PMDD.

• Psychiatry investigation
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.1188-1202
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• 2018

Objective This study protocol aims to determine, using a rigorous approach in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and non-seasonal major depressive episode (MDE), the characteristics of bright light therapy (BLT) administration (duration, escalation, morning and mid-day exposures) depending on the tolerance (hypomanic symptoms). Methods Patients with BD I or II and treated by a mood stabilizer are eligible. After 1 week of placebo, patients are randomized between either morning or mid-day exposure for 10 weeks of active BLT with glasses using a dose escalation at 7.5, 10, 15, 30 and 45 minutes/day. A further follow-up visit is planned 6 months after inclusion. Patients will be included by cohorts of 3, with at least 3 days of delay between them, and 1 week between cohorts. If none meet a dose limiting toxicity (DLT; i.e hypomanic symptoms), the initiation dose of the next cohort will be increased. If one patient meet a DLT, an additionnal cohort will start at the same dose. If 2 or 3 patients meet a DLT, from the same cohort or from two cohorts at the same dose initiation, the maximum tolerated dose is defined. This dose escalation will also take into account DLTs observed during the intra-subject escalation on previous cohorts, with a "Target Ceiling Dose" defined if 2 DLTs occured at a dose. Discussion Using an innovative and more ergonomic device in the form of glasses, this study aims to better codify the use of BLT in BD to ensure a good initiation and tolerance.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.103-109
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• 2000

The authors identified a treatment-resistant patient with chronic fatigue syndrome, characterized by chronic fatigue, headache, unrefreshing sleep. Some studies reported that chronic fatigue syndrome was associated with affective disorder, especially seasonal affective disorder and many studies reported that bright light therapy was effective in seasonal affective disorder. But efficacy of light therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome was rarely reported. We treated the patient with morning light treatment using 2500lux light box, the clinical symptoms in this case were improved. The authors suggest that the light therapy can be a treatment modality for chronic fatigue syndrome.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.347-348
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• 2006

This paper performed the basic study for developing the Photodynamic Therapy Equipment for medical treatment. The equipment have been manufactured by using the High Bright Light Emitting Diode and TLC5941 integrated circuit. As a result, 630nm Light Emitting Diode Module was made for the optimization of irradiation condition. And we confirmed the current change according to increase of the level of Light Emitting Diode Module.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.1106-1109
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• 2002

The analysis on the therapic music of chinese five-sounds studied in order to the stand ardization of the five-sounds. The results were as follows; The central sound of Gung(宮) becomes Do. This music goes on slow speed from first to last and appears the bright, quiet and stable mood. The central sound of Sang(商) becomes Re. This music mainly uses the brass and the fist appears the heavy feeling but gradually becomes ascending mood. The central sound of Kang(角) becomes Mi. This music mainly uses the wood-wind imstrument and appears the most light and vivid feeling. The central sound of Chi(徵) becomes Sol. All instruments sound grandly in the first part, and subsequently sound gentle. The central sound of Woo(羽) becomes La. This music appears dark and tragic mood that is generally used in the minor key. It is played slowly on the whole and appears lyrical feeling in the process of controlling and quiet. In the future, the study on diagnosis and therapy through the standardization of the five-sounds will be continued.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.35-39
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• 2015

Sleep problems occur frequently among patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). The most common problem is excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) that are closely related to of sleep-related breathing disorder (SRBD) such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and congenital hypoventilation syndrome. Obesity, craniofacial dysmorphism and muscular hypotonia of patients with PWS may increase the risk of SRBD. Sleep apneas can interrupt the continuity of sleep, and these disruptions result in a decrease in both the quality and quantity of sleep. In addition to SRBD, other sleep disorders have been reported, such as hypersomnia, a primary abnormality of the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and narcolepsy traits at sleep onset REM sleep. Patients with PWS have intrinsic abnormalities of sleep-wake cycles due to hypothalamic dysfunction. The treatment of EDS and other sleep disorders in PWS are similar to standard treatments. Correction of sleep hygiene such as sufficient amount of sleep, maintenance of regular sleep-wake rhythm, and planned naps are important. After comprehensive evaluation of sleep disturbances, CPAP or surgery should be recommended for treatment of SRBD. Remaining EDS or narcolepsy-like syndrome are controlled by stimulant medication. Bright light therapy might be beneficial for disturbed circadian sleep-wake rhythm caused by hypothalamic dysfunction.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.68-75
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• 1999

Objectives: We intended to observe changes in sleep patterns and mood states of night-shift workers following light exposure. We also estimated the degree of tolerance of light exposure. By studying these, we investigated the possibility of applying light therapy to night-shift workers for improving their adaptation. Methods: Twelve night-shift nurses working at Yong-In Mental Hospital volunteered to participate in this study. The study consisted of 3 parts: 1) night-shift control study; 2) light exposure study; 3) day-shift control study. All the nurses accomplished 3 parts of the study, each of which continued for 3 days, except one nurse who did not participate in day-shift control study. During light exposure study, nurses were exposed to bright light for 4 hours from 1AM to 5AM. Sleep patterns were evaluated with wrist actigraphy and automatic sleep analysis program. Mood states and side effects of light exposure were assessed with self-report scales. Results: Sleep period time, total sleep time, and sleep efficiency were increased following light exposure compared with night-shift control study. Light exposure study showed no difference from day-shift control study in above-mentioned sleep parameters. Daily fluctuation of sleep efficiency was less prominent during light exposure study than during night-shift control study. During light exposure study, the subjects felt more elated and energetic in the evening after daytime sleep than during night-shift control study. None of the subjects complained of severe side effects related to light exposure on the third day of light exposure. Tolerance of side effects was noted to develop with the repetition of light exposure. Conclusion: Light exposure improved the daytime sleep of night-shift workers to the level of normal nighttime sleep, making the subjects more elated and energetic. Side effects of light exposure were found to be tolerable. Light exposure seems to be safely applicable to night-shift workers for their adaptation.