Blue Wavelength Light-blocking Glasses in ADHD-Insomnia
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Neurology, Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Neurology, Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 19 - Any |
| Updated: | 12/15/2017 |
| Start Date: | September 2011 |
| End Date: | June 2012 |
Evening Use of Polarized Glasses Designed to Filter Out Blue Light in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Delayed Circadian Rhythm Disorder Patients
Patients with ADHD often report staying up late on the computer, watching TV, or using other
electronic devices, all strong emitters of blue light which may be contributing to the
delayed sleep onset times seen in some of these patients. Evening use of polarizing glasses
which filter out blue light may decrease the contribution of environmental light late at
night to delayed bedtime. This is a treatment that Dr. Fargason uses when patients do not
want to use sleep medication to help them fall asleep. The purpose of this study is to
evaluate the effectiveness of this treatment by use of sleep diaries and sleep
questionnaires.
electronic devices, all strong emitters of blue light which may be contributing to the
delayed sleep onset times seen in some of these patients. Evening use of polarizing glasses
which filter out blue light may decrease the contribution of environmental light late at
night to delayed bedtime. This is a treatment that Dr. Fargason uses when patients do not
want to use sleep medication to help them fall asleep. The purpose of this study is to
evaluate the effectiveness of this treatment by use of sleep diaries and sleep
questionnaires.
Blue light in the 460-480 nm range is known to suppress melatonin onset and signal alerting
mechanisms in the brain. Patients with ADHD often report staying up late on the computer,
watching TV, or using other electronic devices, all strong emitters of blue light which may
be contributing to the delayed sleep onset times seen in these patients. (Ramelteon for
insomnia due to ADHD, R Fargason, K Gamble, K Avis, R Besing, R May, Psychopharmacology
Bulletin, submitted March 2011). Dr. Fargason is using polarized glasses to treat patients
who do not want to take sleep medications to facilitate earlier sleep onset.
At the screen visit, following the informed consent procedure, ADHD + Delayed CRSD
participants will fill out the demographic sheet and will be interviewed by the investigator
regarding their history of sleep medications. If they are currently taking sleep medications
and wish to stop taking them in order to participate in the study, they will be instructed
how to safely do this. Following a two week washout period, participants will be given 7 wake
up and bedtime diaries to complete. If the participant has not been on sleep medications for
the last two weeks, they will receive the 7 sets of diaries at the screen visit and
instructed to complete them twice daily.
At the baseline visit, the diaries will be retrieved. The participants will complete a
baseline Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and will be given 14 sets of wake up and
bedtime diaries. Participants will also be given polarized glasses which filter out blue
light to wear only from sundown until bedtime for two weeks. They will be instructed to turn
off fluorescent lights and only use household lamps for evening activities. They will be
instructed not to drive while wearing the glasses. In addition to the oral instructions, they
will also be given a written "Instruction Sheet." Any oral insomnia agent will be held
throughout the study, otherwise they are to follow their usual evening routines. This is an
alternative treatment already in use in Dr. Fargason's practice for those patients who don't
want to take sleep medications. This research focuses on the effectiveness of this treatment
and involves questionnaires to do so.
The diaries will then be filled out daily for 2 weeks; days with extenuating circumstances
(i.e. nighttime trip to ER) will be noted; the PSQI will be filled out again at the 2 week
termination visit. All forms will be collected with the glasses at the 2 week visit. This
data is being gathered in patients who have remained in clinical treatment with Dr. Fargason
and view this as an opportunity to have a free trial of the polarizing glasses before
purchasing them for their own use to advance their sleep phase. This idea was prompted by the
patients' eagerness to try the glasses clinically and hence avoid need for sleep medication.
mechanisms in the brain. Patients with ADHD often report staying up late on the computer,
watching TV, or using other electronic devices, all strong emitters of blue light which may
be contributing to the delayed sleep onset times seen in these patients. (Ramelteon for
insomnia due to ADHD, R Fargason, K Gamble, K Avis, R Besing, R May, Psychopharmacology
Bulletin, submitted March 2011). Dr. Fargason is using polarized glasses to treat patients
who do not want to take sleep medications to facilitate earlier sleep onset.
At the screen visit, following the informed consent procedure, ADHD + Delayed CRSD
participants will fill out the demographic sheet and will be interviewed by the investigator
regarding their history of sleep medications. If they are currently taking sleep medications
and wish to stop taking them in order to participate in the study, they will be instructed
how to safely do this. Following a two week washout period, participants will be given 7 wake
up and bedtime diaries to complete. If the participant has not been on sleep medications for
the last two weeks, they will receive the 7 sets of diaries at the screen visit and
instructed to complete them twice daily.
At the baseline visit, the diaries will be retrieved. The participants will complete a
baseline Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and will be given 14 sets of wake up and
bedtime diaries. Participants will also be given polarized glasses which filter out blue
light to wear only from sundown until bedtime for two weeks. They will be instructed to turn
off fluorescent lights and only use household lamps for evening activities. They will be
instructed not to drive while wearing the glasses. In addition to the oral instructions, they
will also be given a written "Instruction Sheet." Any oral insomnia agent will be held
throughout the study, otherwise they are to follow their usual evening routines. This is an
alternative treatment already in use in Dr. Fargason's practice for those patients who don't
want to take sleep medications. This research focuses on the effectiveness of this treatment
and involves questionnaires to do so.
The diaries will then be filled out daily for 2 weeks; days with extenuating circumstances
(i.e. nighttime trip to ER) will be noted; the PSQI will be filled out again at the 2 week
termination visit. All forms will be collected with the glasses at the 2 week visit. This
data is being gathered in patients who have remained in clinical treatment with Dr. Fargason
and view this as an opportunity to have a free trial of the polarizing glasses before
purchasing them for their own use to advance their sleep phase. This idea was prompted by the
patients' eagerness to try the glasses clinically and hence avoid need for sleep medication.
Inclusion Criteria:
- 19 years of age and older
- Diagnosis of ADHD and DCRD
- Willingness to sign consent and participate in the study
Exclusion Criteria:
- No sleep medication for previous two weeks before screen visit (Can enroll if willing
to undergo washout period)
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