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Neuropsychological Function Response to Nocturnal Blue Light Blockage in Individuals With Symptoms of Insomnia: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 March 2019

Molly E. Zimmerman ,
Moosun Brad Kim ,
Christiane Hale ,
Andrew J. Westwood ,
Adam M. Brickman  and
Ari Shechter
Molly E. Zimmerman*
Affiliation:
Fordham University, Department of Psychology, Bronx, New York
Moosun Brad Kim
Affiliation:
Institute of Human Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
Christiane Hale
Affiliation:
Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
Andrew J. Westwood
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
Adam M. Brickman
Affiliation:
Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York Department of Neurology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
Ari Shechter
Affiliation:
Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: Molly E. Zimmerman, Fordham University, Department of Psychology Dealy Hall Room 226, 441 East Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10458. E-mail: mzimmerman7@fordham.edu
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Abstract

Objectives: Insomnia is associated with neuropsychological dysfunction. Evidence points to the role of nocturnal light exposure in disrupted sleep patterns, particularly blue light emitted through smartphones and computers used before bedtime. This study aimed to test whether blocking nocturnal blue light improves neuropsychological function in individuals with insomnia symptoms. Methods: This study used a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover design. Participants were randomly assigned to a 1-week intervention with amber lenses worn in wrap-around frames (to block blue light) or a 1-week intervention with clear lenses (control) and switched conditions after a 4-week washout period. Neuropsychological function was evaluated with tests from the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery at three time points: (1) baseline (BL), (2) following the amber lenses intervention, and (3) following the clear lenses intervention. Within-subjects general linear models contrasted neuropsychological test performance following the amber lenses and clear lenses conditions with BL performance. Results: Fourteen participants (mean(standard deviation, SD): age = 46.5(11.4)) with symptoms of insomnia completed the protocol. Compared with BL, individuals performed better on the List Sorting Working Memory task after the amber lenses intervention, but similarly after the clear lenses intervention (F = 5.16; p = .014; η2 = 0.301). A similar pattern emerged on the Pattern Comparison Processing Speed test (F = 7.65; p = 0.002; η2 = 0.370). Consideration of intellectual ability indicated that treatment with amber lenses “normalized” performance on each test from approximately 1 SD below expected performance to expected performance. Conclusions: Using a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover design, we demonstrated improvement in processing speed and working memory with a nocturnal blue light blocking intervention among individuals with insomnia symptoms. (JINS, 2019, 25, 668–677)

Keywords

InsomniaCognitionNeuropsychologyLightBlue lightSleep
Type
Regular Research
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 25 , Issue 7 , August 2019 , pp. 668 - 677
Copyright
Copyright © INS. Published by Cambridge University Press, 2019. 

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