Multiple sclerosis (MS) is almost always accompanied by fatigue, a massive tiredness that the vast majority of patients describe as the most distressing symptom. In a recent scientific study, a research group led by Stefan Seidel from the Department of Neurology at MedUni Vienna and AKH Vienna identified light therapy as a promising non-pharmacological treatment option: the patients included in the study showed an improvement measurable after only 14 days of use. The results of the study were recently published in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal – Experimental, Translational and Clinical.
For the first time, Stefan Seidel’s research team relied not only on surveys, but also on objective measures when selecting test subjects. For example, sleep-wake disorders were ruled out in the 26 participating MS patients, especially with the assistance of various sleep medicine exams.
In this way, for example, we ensured that MS patients with fatigue do not suffer from sleep apnea or periodic leg movements during sleep. Both are sleep disorders that can cause fatigue in everyday life.”
Stefan Seidel, head of study
Performance improvement
The test subjects, all patients at the Department of Neurology at MedUni Vienna and AKH Vienna, were equipped with commercially available light sources for self-testing at home: half of the participants received daylight with a brightness of 10,000 lux, while the other half. received an identical lamp that emitted a red light with an intensity of <300 lux due to a filter. Although the red light used by the control group showed no effect, the researchers were able to see measurable gains in the other group after just 14 days: the participants who used their 10,000 lux daylight for half an hour every day they showed physical and mental improvement. performance after a short period of time. In addition, the group of participants who had consumed bright light showed less daytime sleepiness compared to the other group.
Up to 99 percent of patients
Fatigue is a severe form of tiredness and fatigue that occurs in 75 to 99 percent of people with MS and is described as particularly distressing. Nerve damage from MS is being discussed as a cause. In addition to behavioral measures such as regular breaks, several medications are currently available to relieve fatigue, but some of them are associated with serious side effects. “The findings of our study represent a promising drug-free therapeutic approach,” says Stefan Seidel. However, the results still need to be confirmed in a further study on a larger scale. The exact antecedents of the invigorating effect of light therapy in MS patients will also be the subject of further scientific research.
Source:
Medical University of Vienna
Journal reference:
Voggenberger, L., et al. (2022) Bright light therapy as a non-pharmacological treatment option for multiple sclerosis-related fatigue: a randomized sham-controlled trial. Journal of multiple sclerosis: experimental, translational and clinical. doi.org/10.1177/20552173221133262.