Tainan hospital reports that light therapy significantly improves sleep in people with depression. In fact, patients with major depressive disorder experienced noticeable improvements in sleep quality after using a wearable device. Consequently, experts suggest light therapy could become a new standard for accessible mental health care.
Sleep problems remain one of the most challenging symptoms in depression. Many patients suffer from insomnia or irregular sleep patterns, which can worsen depressive symptoms. Therefore, Tainan Municipal An-Nan Hospital tested a wearable light therapy device to address these issues. Researchers measured sleep improvements using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and observed clear results.
Moreover, the study is among the first double-blind, randomized clinical trials worldwide to evaluate wearable transcranial photobiomodulation therapy, or tPBM. Light therapy works by delivering near-infrared light to the brain, which stimulates cellular activity. In addition, researchers have explored this technology for other neurological conditions, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke recovery, and brain injuries.
An international research team, including Taiwan’s China Medical University Beigang Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Massachusetts General Hospital, developed the device. The head-mounted unit delivers 850-nanometer light to the front part of the brain. Each session lasts 20 to 40 minutes and can be done once or twice daily. Importantly, participants noticed improvements by the second week, and the benefits lasted up to four weeks after therapy ended.
Furthermore, the trial included elderly participants over 65 and dialysis patients to ensure the device’s safety. Patients could use it independently at home or with family support. Most reported only minor discomfort, while adherence to treatment remained high throughout the study.
Deputy Superintendent Su Kuan-pin emphasized that this study demonstrates how hospitals can personalize mental health care. He explained that light therapy allows patients to manage symptoms at home, which reduces the need for frequent clinic visits.
In addition, experts believe light therapy could reshape the mental health industry. By combining it with existing treatments, clinics can provide patients with more flexible care options. Researchers also plan to study long-term outcomes and expand the device’s application in psychiatric care.
With growing demand for noninvasive, home-based therapies, light therapy could emerge as a widely adopted solution for sleep problems in depression. Therefore, the study’s publication in the Journal of Affective Disorders confirms its significance for global mental health research.
