Sleep inertia / alertness
Red light for sleep inertia crossover trial
Figueiro MG, Sahin L, Roohan C, Kalsher M, Plitnick B, Rea MS. Nature and Science of Sleep. 2019.
A crossover study found saturated red light delivered through closed eyelids or after waking improved some performance measures related to sleep inertia.
Evidence grade
low
Effect direction
positive
Panel relevance
not-panel-replicable
Key findings
- The protocol used a red light mask during a sleep opportunity or red light goggles after waking.
- Some task-performance scores improved versus dim light.
- This supports alertness/sleep-inertia use cases more than sleep-quality or PBM panel claims.
Protocol details
| Wavelengths | 628, 631 nm |
|---|---|
| Irradiance | Not reported mW/cm2 |
| Fluence | Not reported J/cm2 |
| Session time | Not reported minutes |
| Frequency | Not reported |
| Duration | Not reported |
| Treatment area | Eyes/visual system through mask or goggles |
| Device type | Red light mask and goggles |
Caveats
- This is a circadian/alertness lighting study, not a red/NIR tissue PBM study.
- It should not be used to claim red light before bed improves sleep quality.