Objective: We aimed to assess how patients experience the use of blue light glasses, a novel way of delivering light therapy, aiming to optimise compliance in upcoming clinical trials where these glasses will be tested for efficacy.

Background: Blue light emitting glasses have been introduced as a possible new treatment option to treat sleep disturbances in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). Assessing patient attitudes represents a key step on the road towards formal testing and introduction into clinical practice.

Method: We invited 58 PD patients who had used the blue light glasses for at least one week on a daily basis to complete an online survey about their experiences and self-reported impact. The System Usability Scale (SUS; range 0-100) was used, supplemented with additional questions about (side) effects. A total of 31 patients (53%) replied.

Results: 74% of respondents reported subjective improvements in night-time sleep, daytime sleepiness, depressive symptoms, motor functioning, or a combination thereof. The median score for the System Usability Scale was 70.0. A total of 26 patients (84%) had an overall positive attitude towards the technique, patients rating the glasses with an average score of 6.9 ± 2.0 out of 10. Except for one patient, all responders indicated they wanted to continue using the glasses, mostly because they considered it a useful aid.

Conclusion: PD patients had an overall positive attitude towards blue light glasses as treatment for sleep disorders. Blue light therapy appears to have a positive effect on sleep, mood and motor symptoms in PD.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/blue-light-therapy-glasses-in-parkinsons-disease-patients-experience-and-effectiveness/