Boosting indoor light could help support healthy aging in older adults in urban areas
· Medical Xpressedited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Robert Egan
Gaby Clark
Scientific Editor
Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process
Robert Egan
Senior Editor
Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process Editors' notes
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
fact-checked
trusted source
proofread
The GIST Add as preferred source
Bright light therapy lamps can improve sleep, activity levels and circadian rhythms among older adults in urban areas who have diminished exposure to natural light, a new study from the University of Surrey reports. Scientists believe such methods could provide a nonpharmacological, low-cost way to support healthy aging in urban areas.
In the first real-world study of its kind, Surrey scientists, as part of the Europe-wide ENLIGHTENme project, investigated whether the benefits of light supplementation from bright light therapy lamps could be translated into everyday life. Controlled laboratory studies have consistently shown that similar lamps can reduce circadian misalignment, which, when left unaddressed, can lead to sleep problems, hormone imbalances and increased risks of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.
Recognizing that real-world light exposure is heavily shaped by behavioral and environmental factors, the team also examined the key determinants influencing how and when people use these lamps.
Dr. Daan van der Veen, senior lecturer in sleep and chronobiology at the University of Surrey, said, "Exposure to daytime light is crucial for regulating our circadian rhythms and sleeping patterns. However, older adults in urban areas often do not get sufficient light exposure because of declining eyesight or mobility issues that prevent them from going outside. This can lead to sleep and health problems, increasing their risk of chronic diseases."
During the study, scientists recruited more than 200 participants ages 63–92 from three culturally diverse European cities (Tartu, Bologna and Amsterdam) with differing seasonal daylight variation.
Professor Debra Skene, professor of neuroendocrinology at the University of Surrey, said, "We are very excited that the findings we have shown in laboratory studies of older people are now replicated in real-world conditions, with varying levels of natural light and in different cultures."
Following two weeks of baseline assessments, participants were split into two groups—a light supplementation group that was provided with a light therapy lamp and a control group that did not have a lamp. Those in the light supplementation group were asked to place the lamp at head height in the room where they spent most of their time while at home. They were instructed to turn on the lamp within one hour of waking and turn it off no later than four hours before their normal sleep time for 12 weeks.
All participants wore a wrist actigraphy monitor and a pendant light sensor to measure activity levels and exposure to light. The study was repeated across all seasons to account for changes in natural light.
Scientists found that participants with higher baseline natural light exposure showed significantly higher daytime activity levels, more consolidated wakefulness during the day and better reported sleep quality than those with lower light exposure.
It was also found that those classified as "morning types, or larks" who began light supplementation earlier in the morning were significantly more active during the day and had less disrupted rest-activity rhythms than their peers who started later in the morning. In addition, the group that finished light supplementation earlier, thereby reducing evening light exposure, showed lower rest-activity fragmentation.
Analysis of data provided by participants during initial baseline assessments showed that participants with metabolic disorders (including high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular conditions) had significantly lower levels of total light exposure than those who did not report a metabolic disorder.
Débora Constantino, a postgraduate research student at the University of Surrey, said, "What we have found is that early administration of light supplementation significantly enhances activity levels and reduces rest-activity fragmentation in older adults.
"This is an exciting discovery and provides real-world evidence that light is a simple, nonpharmacological and potentially cost-effective intervention that, from a public health policy perspective, could help support healthy aging. These findings highlight a clear opportunity for policymakers to integrate structured indoor light supplementation into community care frameworks and care home guidelines."
More information
ENLIGHTENme: Translating the benefits of self-administered daytime light supplementation to older adults in the real world', Journal of Pineal Research (2026). DOI: 10.1111/jpi.70174
Key medical concepts
Clinical categories
Sleep medicineHealthy agingSleep & Recovery Provided by University of Surrey Who's behind this story?
Gaby Clark
MA in English, copy editor since 2021 with experience in higher education and health content. Dedicated to trustworthy science news. Full profile →
Robert Egan
Bachelor's in mathematical biology, Master's in creative writing. Well-traveled with unique perspectives on science and language. Full profile →
Citation: Boosting indoor light could help support healthy aging in older adults in urban areas (2026, September 2) retrieved 2 September 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-boosting-indoor-healthy-aging-older.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.