SAD and Sleep Disorders

Mention light therapy and most people think of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).  This is undoubtedly the best known application of phototherapy by visible light, but people are often unaware of its wider applications.

Studies have also reported positive responses with non-seasonal depression, premenstrual syndrome (late luteal dysphoria), bulimia, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Research into these areas continues, but already SAD devices can be used in the management of depressions, jet lag and sleep disorders.

Q.Light SAD Care is designed for SAD and neurological treatments in medical practices, clinics, specialised treatment centres, nursing homes, airport departure/arrival lounges and for self- treatment at home.

See BBC news article 10 June, 2008: 'Light therapy can slow dementia'

Seasonal Affective Disorder

SAD is a condition effecting a small but significant proportion of the population.  It ranges from irritability and inability to concentrate up to depressions and can have very serious consequences for some.  Suggested treatments include aerobic exercise, daily walks, vacations to sunny climates and the use of light therapy devices.

Because it is not always possible for sufferers to get enough sunlight or at the right times, periods of supplementation are required.  In doing this it is important that the correct frequencies of light are used and that the light employed should be as natural and comfortable to the eye as possible.  SAD lights have to be bright but they do not have to be harsh.  As in all areas of healthcare, non-compliance with the recommended schedule is a principal cause of treatment failure so the process should be made as pleasant and comfortable as possible or it will not be persevered with.

Q.Light SAD Care emits a carefully selected section of the natural daylight spectrum with 10,000 Lux and without any ultra-violet component.  Medical studies prove that hormonal metabolism induced by natural daylight is highly effective against Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and today it is the treatment of first choice.  Light energy enters the eyes and induces the modulation of the hormonal metabolism.  The electrical energy is transported to the region of hypothalamus and regulates the rhythm of the biological clock due to metabolic enhancement of the pituitary gland (hypotheses) and the pineal gland (epiphyses). 

Sleep disorders

Beneficial results have also been obtained in certain cases by using light administration and restriction to shift circadian rhythms. These include patients with stable circadian rhythm abnormalities such as delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) or advanced sleep phase syndrome (ASPS).

Patients with DSPS have trouble falling asleep and waking up at conventional times.  They can be helped by exposure to bright light in the morning and restriction of light in the afternoon and evening.  ASPS is most common in the elderly; their tendency to fall asleep and wake at inconveniently early hours can be alleviated by exposure to bright light at night.

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Treatment

Phototherapy (light therapy) corrects the inner biological clock, takes care that serotonin in higher concentration is developed and reactivates activity of neurotransmitters. Lack of serotonin is the reason for many depressions. Neurotransmitters are responsible for improvement of thinking, feeling, sleeping and life in general

Due to the wide recognition of SAD there are many devices on the market to treat it but most of them are based on fluorescent tubes.  Whilst these may provide sufficient light intensity for therapeutic effect, fluorescent tubes produce a flickering and unstable light which some people find harsh and unpleasant, especially in regular use, so they do not maintain treatment.

Q.Light SAD Care features:

• Clear, stable, flicker-free white light which many users find more comfortable than light from fluorescent tubes.
• Built in filter restricts transmitted light to the range 420-780nm for correct treatment of SAD.
• Delivers 10,000 lux over a 30cm diameter area at a distance of 30cm.
• Easy to use with simple on/off operation.
• Whichever stand is ordered, a short hand grip is also included.
• You cannot over-dose!  Excess treatment time is ineffective but not harmful.
• CE marked medical product but requires no special training or safety precautions.

For use at a desk or table, at home or in the office, Q.Light Skin Care can be supplied on the Table Stand (shown left). 

Price: Europe €1,081.00 including taxes and delivery


For use in an armchair at home Q.Light Skin Care can be supplied on the Home Stand 

For those wanting a wider range of therapies, Q.Light Skin Care and Q.Light PRO are attractive alternatives.  They are flexible models which share a range of interchangeable filter modules, including SAD.  There are filters for medical, cosmetic and colour light treatments.

The six medical filter modules largely provide the same treatments as the specialised Q.Light models, and consist of Psoriasis Care, Pain Care, Wound Care excluding infra-red, Wound Care including infra-red, Acne Care and SAD Care.

The three cosmetic filter modules are Skin Care, Anti-Ageing Care and Cellulite Care

Visit the Multi-Therapy Page for details of Q.Light Skin Care and Q.Light PRO for medical and cosmetic treatments

The Basic Set of colour filters offers Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue and Violet and the Advanced Set offers Pink, Magenta, Cyan, Turquoise and Indigo, making eleven filters in all.

Visit the A1Colour pages for details of Q.Light Skin Care and Q.Light PRO for colour light treatments