Effects of Bright Light on Co-occurring Cancer-related Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors

The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a home-based, personalized bright light intervention, and to estimate the effects of bright light on 4 common long-term or late effects of cancer (sleep disturbance, fatigue, depression, cognitive dysfunction) and on quality of life in post-treatment survivors of breast cancer. The three specific aims include: Aim #1: To assess the feasibility of implementing a home-based, personalized bright light intervention and the proposed data collection plan in post-treatment survivors of breast cancer. Aim #2: To estimate the effects of the personalized bright light intervention on sleep disturbance, fatigue, depression, cognitive dysfunction, and quality of life in survivors of breast cancer. Aim #3: To estimate the effects of a personalized bright light intervention on circadian rhythms in survivors of breast cancer. The participants of this randomized, controlled pilot study will be randomized to either 30-minute blue-green light therapy at 12,000 lux or dim red light control at 5 lux. Light will be self-administered using a light visor cap at home for 14 consecutive days. Tailored to the individual's circadian pattern, light will be delivered either within 30 minutes of waking in the morning or between 1900-2000 hours in the evening. The nocturnal sleep patterns will be monitored by all-night in-lab polysomnography; sleep quality, fatigue, depression, and quality of life will be self-reported; cognition will be objectively assessed before and after the intervention. Circadian rhythm will be indexed by nocturnal core body temperature before and after the intervention. Feasibility will be determined by the proportion of contacted, recruited, and retained subjects, and completeness of the data collected. Subjective feedback and burden will be assessed at study exit.