Over the past year, new innovations in light therapy have been proposed as tools that may help improve circadian rhythms and sleep quality in older adults.

The benefits of timed light therapy extend to lower risk of heart disease, new research shows.

Researchers say this is no coincidence; there is a strong link between light therapy, circadian rhythms, and heart health. In particular, improving sleep cycles in older adults may help reduce stroke risk, the study authors said.

After a week of exposure to the intense morning light of a 10,000 lux “happy” lamp, similar to that used to treat mood disorders, study participants improved their sleep quality and increased adenosine levels in the heart. Did. The latter plays a major role in regulating the heart to lower high blood pressure and heart failure.

The researchers also investigated how various therapies other than phototherapy interacted, such as medication regimens and mealtimes.

“Literally millions of patients could potentially benefit. [light therapy]” said lead author Tobias Eckle, MD, in a statement. “Almost all treatments are low-risk. Some use light boxes that are already commercially available.”

Many senior living communities have installed advanced lighting systems to improve the quality of their residents’ sleep.

In recent months, a growing body of research has revealed subtle ways in which more intensive light therapy can benefit older adults, including acting as a “washing machine” to remove Alzheimer’s-causing toxins in the brain. We are researching ways to neutralize the side effects of chemotherapy.

Some devices have already been introduced into senior living environments, such as Neuronic’s phototherapy helmet.

This light/circadian rhythm study was conducted by scientists at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and published Thursday in the journal Science. circulation research.