Which type of light therapy is right for you? BlueWave? Britewave? 10,000 lux Full Spectrum? What does it all mean and how do you decide? We will attempt to shed a little “light” on the subject.

10,000 Lux light therapy has been the most widely studied therapy and therefore, is currently the mostly widely prescribed therapy by physicians. Bluewave technology, however, is quickly becoming the new gold standard. This is due to the safety, convenience, reduced intensity, and overall effectiveness of Bluewave light. If you want the quicker treatment time of Bluewave but still prefer the bright sunlight of 10,000 lux, then Britewave technology may be the perfect fit for you. You could think of finding the right light box as helping you save money because, whether you use Aviva or Prudential Financial or any other life insurance company, you may find that mental health related claims are excluded from critical illness cover and income protection in many life insurance packages. Luckily light therapy has progressed a good deal recently, with many options for you to choose from.

BROAD SPECTRUM VS. FULL-SPECTRUM LIGHT

In the early 90's Drs. Timo Partonen, Andreas Mangeson and colleagues in Finland reported on several studies comparing broad spectrum, non-UV, and full-spectrum non-UV light. Theirs and subsequent conclusions found equal efficacy between full-spectrum and broad-spectrum white light. However, because patients preferred the color that full-spectrum light produced, most light therapy products incorporated full spectrum technology.

10,000 lux standard

In the following years, Dr. Michael Terman's Group at Columbia Presbyterian Medical College in New York began experimenting with different intensities of light. While most researchers were using light at lower levels for 2 -3 hours, Dr. Terman found that 10,000-lux broad-spectrum light yielded higher responses with only 30 minutes exposure. Since then, most published reports on light therapy recommend 10,000-lux light therapy.

BLUEWAVE

Patent-pending Bluewave technology is the result of ten years of research with medical universities and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Bluewave is significant because it provides a higher effective response than most full-spectrum light at 1/10th the intensity of traditional 10,000-lux light. That means you can get effective treatment in about half the time of traditional 10,000 lux light therapy.

Safe

The Bluewave technology has been safety-tested by optical safety experts. With Bluewave, light therapy is not only convenient but easier on the eyes with fewer side effects.

Twice as effective

Although other light therapy products, including 10,000 lux boxes, contain blue light, the majority of their spectral energy is counterproductive. Eliminating these unnecessary wavelengths increases effectiveness and significantly reduces overall intensity.

Low-intensity blue light (470 nm) is twice as effective at shifting circadian rhythms and suppressing melatonin compared to 10,000 lux fluorescent and white LED-based products.

BLUEWAVE advantage

BLUEWAVE technology represents a technological leap in the evolution of light therapy. For the first time, we are able to isolate the specific bandwidths of light responsible for eliciting a therapeutic response. BLUEWAVE allows us to increase the effective bandwidths while significantly reducing the overall intensity of light. As a result, patients can enjoy a more comfortable and efficient therapy.

No reported side effects

At the annual Society for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms convention in May 2004, TMJU researchers reported their latest study using our BLUEWAVE technology. Not only were response and remission rates equivalent to standard 10,000-lux studies, but no side effects were reported from using BLUEWAVE .These findings were remarkable, especially considering that previous 10,000-lux light therapy studies had participants who experienced initial side effects ranging from nausea to headaches.

Greater comfort

In addition, participants remarked that their therapy was more comfortable than 10,000-lux light therapy, and when given a choice, preferred using BLUEWAVE. Some patients who used 10,000-lux light therapy remarked that BLUEWAVE was 'easier' on their eyes. Under normal circumstances, light therapy studies expect some participant drop out, but the dropout rate with the BLUEWAVE study was far lower than normal. Researchers also noted that the participation rate unusual and encouraging.

BRITEWAVE

When your body clock doesn't get the right type of light, it can make you feel tired and moody. But the right light at the right time will reset your sleep, mood, and energy cycles, so you can sleep better and feel great during waking hours. BRITEWAVE Technology safely and quickly provides the light your body needs.

What does BRITEWAVE do?

BRIGHTWAVE light performs three important functions:

• Resets your body clock, so your circadian rhythms function normally.
• Immediately suppresses the withdrawal hormone, melatonin.
• Stimulates the production of the active hormone, serotonin.

What can you expect from BRITEWAVE technology?

BRIGHTWAVE light performs three important functions:

1. Respond in a few days instead of weeks.
2. Reduced treatment time to 15 minutes/day.
3. Higher response rate with improved quality of response.
4. Feel more active during the day.
5. Sleep better at night.
6. Greater freedom because of larger treatment fields with more portable units.

Why is BRITEWAVE superior to full-spectrum light?

Research has allowed us to go beyond standard full-spectrum technology. For example, we've learned that specific wavelengths are responsible for suppressing the withdrawal hormone melatonin, while other factors are responsible for resetting your body clock and producing the active hormone serotonin. As we've incorporated this technology, we've been able to greatly reduce treatment time while improving the quality of your response. Years ago, it took 2-3 hours to produce the response that takes only 15 minutes per day.

BRITEWAVE vs. BLUEWAVE

BLUEWAVE is different because it provides only the effective bandwidth of light. It is more effective than 10,000 lux full-spectrum light, and because of reduced intensity, it is easier on the eyes and causes fewer side effects. BLUEWAVE technology is also the most convenient to use.

BRITEWAVE combines 10,000-lux light with BLUEWAVE and is ideal for those who prefer bright sunlight, but also want the benefits of BLUEWAVE®. Both technologies are more effective than conventional full-spectrum light therapy, but because BRITEWAVE products produce larger treatment fields, they may also be considered for children or those with more severe symptoms.

Source: Apollo Health