Scientists have created a blue-light-emitting goggle and shown that it may be effective in addressing fitfulness of sleep in the elderly. In recent years, scientists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Lighting Research Center (LRC), and elsewhere, have demonstrated that blue light is the most effective at stimulating the circadian system, when combined with the appropriate light intensity, spatial distribution, timing, and duration. In the current work, a team at the LRC has tested a goggle-like device designed to deliver blue light directly to the eyes to improve sleep quality in older adults. “The study suggests that the light goggles might be a practical, comfortable, and effective way to deliver light treatment to those suffering from circadian sleep disorders. The next steps are to conduct field studies where we will be testing the effectiveness of this personal light-treatment device on those suffering from circadian-related sleep disorders, while also verifying the acceptance of the device among the test groups,” said Dr. Mariana Figueiro, the lead author of the study published in Chronobiology International. [Press release] [Chronobiology International abstract]Login Or Register To Read Full Story