Morning Bright Light to Improve Sleep Quality in Veterans

One of the principal complicating factors associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) is
sleep-wake disturbances (e.g., insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, and circadian rhythm
sleep disorders). Morning bright light therapy (MBLT) has been shown to improve sleep quality
in a variety of conditions, but little has been done investigating the utility of MBLT in
improving sleep in Veterans with TBI. This proposal aims to determine the effect of MBLT on
sleep quality in Veterans with TBI. Veterans with and without TBI will be recruited from the
VA Portland Health Care System. Baseline questionnaires and 7 days of actigraphy will be
collected prior to engaging in 60 minutes of MBLT daily for 4 weeks, during which actigraphy
will also be collected continuously. Post-MBLT questionnaire data will be collected, and
follow-up questionnaire data will be collected at 3 months post-MBLT.