Practice parameters for the use of light therapy in the treatment of sleepdisorders

These clinical guidelines were developed by the Standards of Practice Commi ttee and reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors of the American Ac ademy of Sleep Medicine. The guidelines provide recommendations for the pra ctice of sleep medicine in North America regarding the use of light therapy for treatment of various sleep disorders. This paper is based on a series of articles in the Journal of Biological Rhythms and also includes evidence tables from an updated Medline review covering the period January 1994 to December 1997. Evidence is presented by grade and level. Recommendations ar e identified as standards, guidelines, or options. Recommendations are prov ided for delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS), advanced sleep phase syndrome (ASPS), non-24-hour sleep-wake syndrome, jet lag, shift work, dementia, an d sleep complaints in the healthy elderly. Light therapy appears generally safe if used within recommended intensity and time limits. Light therapy ca n be useful in treatment of DSPS and ASPS. Benefits of light therapy are le ss dear and treatment is an option in jet lag, shift work, and non-24-hour sleep-wake syndrome in some blind patients.