Korean J Women Health Nurs.  2015 Sep;21(3):197-206. 10.4069/kjwhn.2015.21.3.197.

Effect of Light Therapy on Sleep Disturbance and Depression in Climacteric Women

• Kim YA
• Sung MH

• KMID: 2307916
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2015.21.3.197

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of light therapy on sleep disturbance and depression in climacteric women with menopausal symptoms.
METHODS
The research design was a nonequivalent control group pre test-post test design. Data were collected from September 29, 2013 to November 11, 2013. Participants included 17 climacteric women in an artificial light therapy group, 17 climacteric women in a sun light therapy group and 16 climacteric women in a control group. Measures consisted of the sleep disturbance, depression, melatonin, and serotonin.
RESULTS
There was a statistically significant difference of Korean Sleep Scale A (F=53.87, p<.001), and melatonin (F=31.19, p<.001) among three groups. There was a statistically significant difference of Self-Rating Depression Scale (F=121.86, p<.001), and serotonin (F=102.37, p<.001) among three groups.
CONCLUSION
Artificial and sun light therapy can be applied as a supportive nursing intervention to subjects with sleep disturbance and depression in climacteric women with menopausal symptoms. Artificial and sun light therapy is expected to be a complementary alternative intervention for health management of the subjects with sleep disturbance and depression in climacteric women with menopausal symptoms.

Keyword

Climacteric; Insomnia; Depression; Light; Therapy

MeSH Terms

Climacteric*
Depression*
Female
Humans
Melatonin
Nursing
Phototherapy*
Research Design
Serotonin
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
Solar System
Melatonin
Serotonin