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Light Therapy

Other common name(s): light boxes, bright light treatment, ultraviolet light therapy, UV, ultraviolet blood irradiation, colored light therapy, chromatotherapy

Scientific/medical name(s): phototherapy, ultraviolet phototherapy, photopheresis, extracorporeal photochemotherapy, photodynamic therapy

DESCRIPTION

Light therapy involves the use of visible light or non-visible ultraviolet light to treat a variety of conditions.

OVERVIEW

Some forms of light therapy are used in conventional medicine. For example, the use of light boxes to mimic sunlight is a proven medical treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Ultraviolet (UV) light therapy is used to treat psoriasis and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (a type of cancer that first appears on the skin). Photodynamic therapy is helpful in treating certain cancers or pre-cancers of the skin, esophagus, and lungs, and is now being tested against other types of cancer (see the American Cancer Society document, Photodynamic Therapy.) A special form of UV blood irradiation, called photopheresis or extracorporeal photochemotherapy, also inhibits T-cell lymphoma and may be helpful for other conditions. Available scientific evidence does not support claims that alternative uses of light or color therapy are effective in treating cancer or curing other illnesses.

How is it promoted for use?

Conventional medical professionals may prescribe the use of light boxes, photopheresis, photodynamic therapy, or UV light therapy for the treatment of those conditions for which studies have shown these methods to be safe and effective.

However, several forms of light therapy are promoted for alternative use. These include light boxes (or special bright lamps and visors), UV light or sun lamp therapy, most types of colored light therapy (chromatotherapy), and UV blood irradiation.

Colored light therapy: Supporters of colored light therapy (also called chromatotherapy) claim that colored light relieves a number of conditions, including sleep disorders, shoulder pain, diabetes, impotence, and allergies. Practitioners of one system of chromatotherapy believe that shining colored lights on the body will harm cancer cells.

Light box therapy: Proponents claim bright light therapy (light box, bright lamp, light visor) relieves high blood pressure, insomnia, premenstrual syndrome, migraines, carbohydrate cravings, hyperactivity in children, and that it improves sexual functioning.

UV light: Proponents of UV light therapy, which are sometimes marketed as sun lamps, claim that it neutralizes toxins in the body and cures or helps immune system disorders, bacterial infections, AIDS, colds, bug bites, and cancer.

UV blood irradiation. Proponents of UV blood irradiation claim that UV light exposure kills germs such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi inside the body, and that it neutralizes toxins in the blood. Some claim that when even a very small amount of UV-treated blood re-enters the circulatory system of the patient it stimulates the immune system and increases attacks against invaders, including cancer cells.

What does it involve?

Colored light therapy involves the use of colored lights such as blue, red, and violet that the practitioner shines directly on the patient. In some cases, the patient purchases the device and uses it at home. Sometimes the lights flash in patterns.

There is one type of colored light therapy that is used in conventional medicine for newborns who have a buildup of a waste product called bilirubin in the blood. The infant's skin is exposed to a special blue light, usually for several days. This helps the bilirubin to break down into a substance that is easier for the baby to excrete.

Light boxes contain lights that simulate the wavelengths of light produced by the sun. Patients undergoing this kind of therapy sit in front of the light box or special bright lamp for a prescribed amount of time each day. The person may read or do other tasks during the light exposure, but must sit close enough to the light for its full effect. Different people using various strengths of light need different amounts of time for it to work best. For most people with SAD, light treatment is used early in the morning from 30 minutes to 2 hours each day. A brighter light may require less time exposure.

In ultraviolet light therapy, the eyes and unaffected skin are protected while the patient is exposed to UV light for a prescribed length of time. Psoriasis treatment may involve the use of UV light along with drugs, which make the skin sensitive to the light. A new type of UV light is now being used, called narrow-band UV light, which may be more effective.

UV blood irradiation is called photopheresis or extracorporeal photochemotherapy in conventional medicine, and is mainly used to inhibit T-cell lymphoma. It may also be helpful for other conditions. During this procedure, blood is removed from the patient and separated into different types of cells. About a pint of blood, mostly white blood cells, is treated with a special drug to make it make it more sensitive to light. It is then treated with UV light, which activates the drug, and the blood is infused back into the patient. This procedure is considered a form of immunotherapy, and takes from 3 to 5 hours. In the alternative treatment setting, a small tube of blood is removed, treated with UV rays, then given back to the patient.

Photodynamic therapy is used in conventional medicine for certain types of cancer. The patient is given a drug to make cancer cells more sensitive to light. The tumor area is then exposed to laser or another type of light. (See Photodynamic Therapy).

What is the history behind it?

Interest in the relationship between light and health dates back centuries. All forms of light therapy now in use started during the 20th century. The first reports of ultraviolet blood irradiation date back to the 1930s.

What is the evidence?

Available scientific evidence does not support claims that light box therapy can cure cancer; however, it does have some medically accepted uses. Light box therapy has been shown to be effective in treating seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression caused by insufficient exposure to bright light. Some researchers are testing light therapy to see if it helps other types of depression. Early findings suggest it may be helpful, alone or with medicines. It may also be helpful for shift workers and travelers changing time zones to help reset their internal clock.

UV light therapy (phototherapy) is commonly used to treat psoriasis. There is also evidence that UV light therapy inhibits the growth of cutaneous (skin) T-cell lymphoma. Researchers have found that it has resulted in many long-term remissions and cures among patients in the early stage of the disease and prolonged survival even in patients treated later in disease. Early studies suggest that it may also be helpful for people with atopic dermatitis (an allergic skin condition) and vitiligo (uneven pigment in the skin.) However, available scientific evidence does not support other health claims for UV light therapy.

Colored light therapy has been advocated since the early 20th century for nearly every imaginable purpose. At least one maker of spectro-chrome (color) therapy devices has been prosecuted for making false claims. However, blue light has been used for years to treat newborns with high bilirubin levels, and has proven to be very effective. The light helps to break down the bilirubin into a form that is easier to excrete from the body. At this time, available scientific evidence does not support claims that any other type of colored light therapy is effective in treating cancer or other illnesses.

Ultraviolet blood irradiation treatment is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treating T-cell lymphoma involving the skin. Clinical trials look promising for the treatment of immune system diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, rejection of transplanted organs, and graft-versus-host disease (a complication related to bone marrow or stem cell transplants). Available scientific evidence does not support claims for alternative uses of UV blood irradiation.

Are there any possible problems or complications?

Light therapy that involves only visible light (light boxes and colored light therapy) is generally considered safe. Light therapy for depressive disorders can push a few people into a hyperactive state called mania, which may pose some risk. Light or light box therapy should not be confused with a tanning bed or sun lamp, which is not a medical therapy and is dangerous because of high levels of ultraviolet radiation. Any treatment that exposes the patient to ultraviolet radiation presents some danger, including premature aging of the skin and an increased risk for skin cancer later on.

Patients may be at higher risk of sunburn the day of UV treatment and are advised to avoid natural sunlight. Those having long-term UV light treatment for psoriasis or other conditions may have a greater-than-average number of cataracts and skin-related problems, including cancer.

Relying on unproven uses of light therapy while delaying or avoiding conventional therapy can have serious consequences.

Additional Resources

More Information From Your American Cancer Society

The following information on complementary and alternative therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).

References

American Cancer Society. Questionable methods of cancer management: electronic devices. CA Cancer J Clin. 1994;44:127-128.

Boivin DB, James FO. Light treatment and circadian adaptation to shift work. Ind Health. 2005 Jan;43(1):34-48.

Cassileth B. The Alternative Medicine Handbook. New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Co; 1998.

Gambichler T, Breuckmann F, Boms S, Altmeyer P, Kreuter A. Narrowband UVB phototherapy in skin conditions beyond psoriasis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005 Apr;52(4):660-70.

Golden, RN, Gaynes BN, Ekstrom RD, et al. The Efficacy of Light Therapy in the Treatment of Mood Disorders: A Review and Meta-Analysis of the Evidence. Am J Psychiatry 162:656-662, April 2005.

Herrmann JJ, Roenigk HH Jr, Honigsmann H. Ultraviolet radiation for treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 1995;9:1077-1088.

Ilhan O, Arat M, Arslan O, Ayyildiz E, Sanli H, Beksac M, Ozcan M, Gurman G, Akan H. Extracorporeal photoimmunotherapy for the treatment of steroid refractory progressive chronic graft-versus-host disease. Transfus Apheresis Sci. 2004 Jun;30(3):185-7.

Knobler R, Girardi M. Extracorporeal photochemoimmunotherapy in cutaneous T cell lymphomas. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2001. 941:123-38.

Lurie SJ, Gawinski B, Pierce D, Rousseau SJ. Seasonal affective disorder. Am Fam Physician. 2006 Nov 1;74(9):1521-4

Marques MB. Tuncer HH. Photopheresis in solid organ transplant rejection. Journal of Clinical Apheresis 2006. 21(1):72-7.

McGinnis KS, Shapiro M, Vittorio CC, et al. Psoralen plus long-wave UV-A (PUVA) and bexarotene therapy: An effective and synergistic combined adjunct to therapy for patients with advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Arch Derm 2003. 139(6):771-5.

National Cancer Institute. Photodynamic Therapy for Cancer: Questions and Answers. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/photodynamic. Accessed 03/30/07.

PUVA Phototherapy. National Psoriasis Foundation Website. Available at: www.psoriasis.org. Accessed 3/30/07.

Schwarcz J. Colorful Nonsense: Dinshah Ghadiali and his spectro-chrome device. Quackwatch Web site. Available at: www.quackwatch.org. Accessed 3/30/07.

Triesscheijn M. Baas P. Schellens JH. Stewart FA. Photodynamic therapy in oncology. Oncologist 2004 Oct. 11(9):1034-44.

UVB Phototherapy. National Psoriasis Foundation Website. Available at: www.psoriasis.org. Accessed 03/30/07.

Woltz P. Castro K. Park BJ. Care for patients undergoing extracorporeal photopheresis to treat chronic graft-versus-host disease: review of the evidence. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing 2006 Dec. 10(6):795-802.

Note: This information may not cover all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical situation.

Revised: 05/23/2007

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