Efficacy of bright light and sleep/darkness scheduling in alleviating circadian maladaptation to night work

Bright light exposure during night shifts may lead to larger phase shifts in melatonin onset compared to dim light.

• Both fixed sleep schedules and bright light exposure significantly delayed dim light melatonin onset (DLMO).
• The combination of bright light and fixed sleep resulted in additive effects on phase shifting.
• Subjects who maintained consistent sleep schedules during free sleep adapted better than those who did not.
• Neither bright light nor fixed sleep alone was sufficient to completely realign melatonin rhythms with the sleep episode.
• The scheduling of sleep and darkness plays a major role in managing phase misalignment associated with shift work.

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