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In an attempt to promote adjustment to shiftwork schedules, light treatment was offered to the Payload Operations Control Center groups for two Space Shuttle Missions. There were 18 subjects, eight of whom were in the treatment group and ten in the no treatment group. Treatment consisted of schedules for exposure to intense light, avoidance of sunlight, and sleep. Light treatment began 3 to 4 nights before the first nightshift, during the first half of the night to induce large delays in normal daily biological rhythms (circadian rhythms). During the prelaunch week, treatment subjects self administered light treatments at times of the day that delayed circadian rhythms. Treatment continued during the missions and for several days thereafter. Treatment subjects reported better sleep, performance, and physical and emotional well being than controls, and rated the treatment as highly effective for promoting adjustment to their work schedules.
Chronobiology International, 12(2):141-151, 1995. (19 references)
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