The Effect of Blue Light Therapy on Functional Brain Responses to Masked Fearful Stimuli in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is often associated with an increased emotional response to aversive stimuli. Blue Light Therapy (BLT) is effective for improving sleep and mood in a number of psychological disorders but has not yet been evaluated as a treatment for PTSD. We hypothesized that 6 weeks of daily morning BLT, in comparison to Amber (placebo) Light Therapy (ALT), would lead to significant improvements in PTSD severity as well as reduced functional brain responses to subliminal presentation of threat.