Light therapy, also known as phototherapy and bright light therapy, is a therapy used to treat a variety of mental health conditions.

1. LIGHT THERAPY

2. PRESENTATION ON :- LIGHT THERAPY
SUBMITTED TO :- SUBMITTED BY:-
MISS. RITIKA SONI KAJAL CHANDEL
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT MSC(N) 1ST YEAR
(MENTAL HEALTH NURSING) ROLL-NO:-2
SUBMITTED ON:-

3. OBJECTIVES:-
At the end of the class the group will be able to :
 Define the topic.
 Define the history and definition of light therapy .
 Explain the indication and uses of light therapy.
 Explain the administration and preparation of light therapy.
 Explain the side effects of light therapy.
 Explain the role of nurse in Light therapy.

4. HISTORY
 Light therapy may be as ancient as human kind.
 This was first used in ancient Greece , ancient Egypt, ancient Rome.
 The Inca , Assyrian, and early German settlers worshipped the sun
as the deity bringing in health.

5.  The Indian literature of 1500 BC describes treatment with the use
of herbs and natural sunlight for the treatment of non pigmented
skin areas.
 The Buddhist literature from AD 200 and the 10th century Chinese
also document the same.

6. INTRODUCTION
 Light therapy refers to two different categories of treatment, one
used in mainstream medical practice and the other in alternative/
complementary medicine.

7.  Mainstream light therapy (also called phototherapy) includes the
use of ultraviolet light to treat psoriasis and other skin disorders,
and the use of full-spectrum or bright light to treat seasonal
affective disorder (SAD). Light therapy for SAD was first
introduced in the 1980s and is now a widely approved form of
treatment for the disorder.
 Light therapy is also called heliotherapy.

8. DEFINITION
 Light therapy is defined as a therapy which involves the use of light
for the purposes of treatment. This may in the form of exposure to
daylight or to specific wavelengths of light for a prescribed amount
of time, using lasers , light –emitting diodes (LEDs), fluorescent
lamps , dichroic lamps , or very bright, full spectrum light , usually
controlled with various devices.

9. INDICATIONS AND USES
 Psoriasis

10.  Wound healing
 Mood and sleep disorders

11.  Neonatal jaundice
 Parkinson’s disease.

12. IN PSYCHIATRY
 Seasonal depression.
 Establishment of normal sleep.
 Alleviating symptoms of unipolar and bipolar depression.
 Increasing daytime alertness.
 Reducing slumping in the afternoon and evening.

13.  Improving cognitive function, mood and affect.
 Improving sleep in adults with ADHD.
 It works effectively in combination with antidepressants and mood
stabilizers.

14. ADMINISTRATION OF LIGHT THERAPY
 Light therapy for seasonal affective disorder and other forms of
depression can be self-administered at home or in a private room in
the workplace. The patient sits in front of a light box mounted on or
near a desk or table for a period of time each day ranging from 15
minutes to several hours, depending on the severity of the SAD
symptoms.

15.  patients may have two or three sessions of light therapy each day.
Treatment typically begins in the fall, when the days grow
noticeably shorter, and ends in the spring.

16.  The light box itself may be equipped with full-spectrum bulbs,
which do emit UV rays as well as visible light; or it may use bulbs
that filter out the UV rays and emit bright light only.

17.  Most light boxes emit light ranging from 2500–10,000 lux, a lux
being a unit of light measurement equivalent to 1 lumen per square
meter. For purposes of comparison, average indoor lighting is 300–
500 lux, and the sunlight outdoors on a sunny day in summer is
about 100,000 lux.

18.  Patients are instructed to sit facing the light box but to avoid staring
directly at it. They can read or work at their desk while sitting in
front of the light box. Light boxes cost between $200 and $500, but
can often be rented from medical supply companies.

19.  Newer forms of light therapy for SAD include the light visor, which
resembles a baseball cap with a light source attached underneath the
front of the device, above the wearer's eyes. The light visor allows the
patient to walk or move about while receiving light treatment.

20.  Another new treatment is dawn simulation, which appears to be
especially helpful for SAD patients who have difficulty getting up in
the morning. In dawn simulation, the lighting fixture is programmed
to turn gradually from dim to brighter light to simulate the sunrise.
Dawn simulation is started around 4:30 or 5 o'clock on the morning,
while the patient is still asleep.

21. PREPARATION
 Patients should consult their health care provider before mainstream
phototherapy, in order to determine possible sensitivity to bright light
and adjust medication dosages if necessary.

22. Although you don't need a prescription to
buy a light therapy box, it's best to ask your
doctor or mental health provider if light
therapy is a good option for you. Ask
whether you need to take any special
precautions. Also discuss which type of light
therapy box would best meet your needs, so
you get the most benefit and minimize
possible side effects.

24. SIDE EFFECTS
 Light therapy is generally safe. If side
effects occur, they're usually mild and short
lasting.
They may include:
1.Eyestrain
2.Headache

25.  Nausea
 Irritability or agitation

26.  Mania, euphoria, hyperactivity or agitation
associated with bipolar disorder.

27. When side effects do occur, they may go
away on their own within a few days of
starting light therapy. You also may be able
to manage side effects by reducing
treatment time, moving farther from your
light box, taking breaks during long
sessions or changing the time of day you
use light therapy. Talk to your doctor for
advice if side effects are a problem.

28. Caution for bipolar disorder
Light therapy may trigger mania in some
people with bipolar disorder, so get advice
from your doctor before starting light
therapy. If you have any concerns about how
light therapy may be affecting your mood or
thoughts, seek help right away.

30. What you can expect Starting light
therapy?
 Generally, most people with seasonal
affective disorder begin treatment with light
therapy in the early fall, when it typically
becomes cloudy in many regions of the
country. Treatment usually continues until
spring, when outdoor light alone is sufficient
to sustain a good mood and higher levels of
energy.

31. If you typically have fall and winter
depression, you may notice symptoms during
prolonged periods of cloudy or rainy weather
during other seasons.

32. You and your doctor can adjust your light
treatment based on the timing and duration
of your symptoms.

33. If you want to try light therapy for non
seasonal depression or another condition,
talk to your doctor about how light therapy
can be most effective.

34. During light therapy
During light therapy sessions, you sit or
work near a light box. To be effective, light
from the light box must enter your eyes
indirectly. You can't get the same effect
merely by exposing your skin to the light.

35. While your eyes must be open, don't look
directly at the light box, because the bright
light can damage your eyes. Be sure to
follow your doctor's recommendations and
the manufacturer's directions.

36. Light therapy requires time and consistency.
You can set your light box on a table or desk
in your home or office. That way you can
read, use a computer, write, watch TV, talk
on the phone or eat while having light
therapy. Stick to your therapy schedule and
don't overdo it.

37. Three key elements for effectiveness
 Light therapy is most effective when you
have the proper combination of light
intensity, duration and timing.

38. 1.Intensity. The intensity of the light box is
recorded in lux, which is a measure of the
amount of light you receive. For SAD, the
typical recommendation is to use a 10,000-
lux light box at a distance of about 16 to 24
inches (41 to 61 centimeters) from your
face.

39. 2.Duration. With a 10,000-lux light box, light
therapy typically involves daily sessions of
about 20 to 30 minutes. But a lower-
intensity light box, such as 2,500 lux, may
require longer sessions. Check the
manufacturer's guidelines and follow your
doctor's instructions. He or she may suggest
you start with shorter sessions and gradually
increase the time.

40. 3.Timing. For most people, light therapy is
most effective when it's done early in the
morning, after you first wake up. Your
doctor can help you determine the light
therapy schedule that works best.

41. ROLE OF NURSE
 Assess need of patient for
doing any activity.
 Ask what he want to do.
 Assess the mood or activity
level.

42.  Activity should be like that it should improve
the condition.
 Encourage the client to participate in
activities.
 Teaches about how to do that activity which
he wish to do.
 The environment for any therapy should be
perfect.

43. CONCLUSION
Light therapy probably won't cure seasonal
affective disorder, non seasonal depression or
other conditions. But it may ease symptoms,
increase your energy levels, and help you feel
better about yourself and life.

44. SUMMARIZATION
In today’s class we had discussed about
 Introduction and definition of light therapy.
 Indication and uses of light therapy.
 Administration and preparation of light
therapy.
 Side - effects of light therapy.
 Role of nurse in light therapy.

45. RECAPTULIZATION
 Q. Define light therapy?
 Q. Enlist the indication of light therapy?
 Q. Explain the preparation of light therapy?
 Q. Explain the side- Effects of light therapy?
 Q. Explain the role of nurse in light therapy?

46. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Book reference:-
 Shreevani R.A guide to mental health and
psychiatric nursing,3rd edition.pub-
jaypee.p.p-131.
Internet reference:-
 http://www.slideshare.net
 http://www.slideserve.com