Impact of Light Therapy on Rotating Night‑Shift Workers
Summary
This randomized trial studied whether bright-light therapy could improve health in 22 rotating night-shift workers. Participants received daily 30-minute sessions of white light for 12 weeks, followed by 12 weeks off. Light therapy did not improve glucose tolerance, inflammation, sleep quality, or other metabolic measures. However, it did alter circadian clock gene activity in blood cells, including reduced REV-ERBα expression and shifts in the REV-ERBα/BMAL1 ratio. These changes suggest that while light exposure influences biological rhythms at a molecular level, it did not translate into short-term health improvements in this study.
Why It Matters For Night Shift Workers and Night Owls
For rotating shift workers, this research shows that light therapy can affect the body’s clock genes but may not be enough on its own to improve sleep or metabolic health. The study suggests that while bright light influences circadian rhythms at a biological level, workers may still need other strategies—such as better shift design, consistent routines, or nutrition timing—to see real health benefits.
Notes
Null result useful for planning.