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66/100

✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 66 out of 100. Risk factors

Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies

Although bright light therapy seems a promising treatment for sleep problems, research shows inconclusive results. This meta-analysis is the first to systematically review the effect of light therapy on sleep problems in general and on specific types of sleep problems in particular (circadian rhythm sleep disorders, insomnia, sleep problems related to Alzheimer's disease and dementia). Fifty-three studies with a total of 1154 participants were included. Overall effects and effects on separate circadian and sleep outcomes were examined. We calculated Hedges' g effect sizes and we investigated the effects of twelve moderators (design-related, treatment-related, participant-related). Light therapy was found effective in the treatment of sleep problems in general (g = 0.39), and for circadian rhythm sleep disorders (g = 0.41), insomnia (g = 0.47), and sleep problems related to Alzheimer's disease/dementia (g = 0.30) specifically. For circadian rhythm sleep disorders, effects were smaller for randomised controlled trials. For insomnia, we found larger effects for studies using a higher light intensity, and for sleep problems related to Alzheimer's disease/dementia larger effects were found for studies with more female participants. There was indication of publication bias. To conclude, light therapy is effective for sleep problems in general, particularly for circadian outcomes and insomnia symptoms. However, most effect sizes are small to medium.

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APA 7th

van Maanen, A., Meijer, A. M., van der Heijden, K. B., & Oort, F. J. (2016). The effects of light therapy on sleep problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep medicine reviews. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2015.08.009

Vancouver

van Maanen A, Meijer AM, van der Heijden KB, Oort FJ. The effects of light therapy on sleep problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep medicine reviews. 2016. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2015.08.009. PMID: 26606319.

BibTeX

@article{vanmaanen2016-26606319,
  author  = {van Maanen, A. and Meijer, A. M. and van der Heijden, K. B. and Oort, F. J.},
  title   = {{The effects of light therapy on sleep problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis}},
  journal = {Sleep medicine reviews},
  year    = {2016},
  doi     = {10.1016/j.smrv.2015.08.009},
  pmid    = {26606319},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2015.08.009}
}

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Key findings

Although bright light therapy seems a promising treatment for sleep problems, research shows inconclusive results.
Overall effects and effects on separate circadian and sleep outcomes were examined.
For insomnia, we found larger effects for studies using a higher light intensity, and for sleep problems related to Alzheimer's disease/dementia larger effects were found for studies with more female participants.
To conclude, light therapy is effective for sleep problems in general, particularly for circadian outcomes and insomnia symptoms.

Why it matters

This meta-analysis of 53 studies found light therapy effective for sleep problems in general, including sleep problems related to Alzheimer's disease and dementia. It addresses sleep problems only and does not show any effect on treating, curing, or preventing Alzheimer's disease itself.

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Study details

Study designmeta-analysis
Participants1,154
Evidence strengthHigh

How this study scored 66/100

Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a meta-analysis pooling many studies. Scored zero for effect reported because the record does not state it.

Component	Points	Why
Journal tier	7 / 10	Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Sleep medicine reviews)
Journal's citation record	2 / 4	Sleep Medicine Reviews: journal h-index 227 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29)
Study design	12 / 12	A meta-analysis pooling many studies
Strength of evidence	5 / 5	Rated “high” in our summary
Peer-review validation	10 / 10	Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal.
How recent	1 / 5	2016 — within 20 year(s) of the newest study here
Sample size	3 / 4	1,154 participants
Effect reported	0 / 3	No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0)
Studied in people	3 / 3	Studied in people (participant count stated)
Randomised / blinded	0 / 2	A review of other studies — randomisation is not credited here
Times cited	6 / 7	Cited 376 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10)
Citations per year	4 / 5	31.3 citations a year over 12 year(s) since 2016
Impact for its field and year	3 / 6	Cited 3.0× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI)
Cited by studies here	0 / 6	No other study in this library cites it
Still being cited	3 / 4	Cited 113 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex)
Senior author's track record	3 / 4	Last-listed author Frans Jeroen Oort: h-index 67 (OpenAlex, whole career)
Institution's track record	1 / 3	University of Amsterdam: institution h-index 1,209 (OpenAlex)
Multi-centre collaboration	1 / 3	OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country
Indexed in PubMed	2 / 2	Indexed in PubMed (PMID 26606319)
Free to read	0 / 2	Behind a paywall — scores zero
Total	66 / 100	—

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