Journal article
The Effects of Light Therapy on Cognitive Function and Stress in Women With Breast Cancer Before Systemic Treatment
Cancer medicine (Malden, MA), Vol.14(22), e71412
11/01/2025
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.71412
PMCID: PMC12640611
PMID: 41275449
Abstract
ABSTRACT Background Cancer‐related cognitive impairment (CRCI), for example, impairments in reaction time, processing speed, memory and executive function, may be associated with breast cancer (BC) surgery which can disrupt biological and psychological stress markers. Evidence suggests that light therapy may ameliorate cognitive impairment and stress. In this double‐blind, randomized controlled trial, we investigated the efficacy of light therapy on mitigating the impact of BC surgery on CRCI in a national Icelandic cohort of women with BC. Methods Participants were randomly allocated to receive circadian‐effective blue light (BL, N = 60) or circadian‐ineffective dim light (DL, N = 57) for 4 weeks after surgery. The primary outcome was overall cognitive performance (assessed via global composite score), and secondary outcomes were specific cognitive domains, cognitive complaints, psychological (depressive symptoms, overall cancer‐related stress and its symptoms: hyperarousal, avoidance, and intrusive thoughts) and biological (cortisol and α‐amylase) stress markers. Linear regression and path analyses within structural equation modeling frameworks were conducted, adjusted for baseline cognitive performance, age, education, subsequent cancer treatment, cancer stage, and treatment credibility. Results No group differences were found in overall cognitive performance or in specific cognitive domains, except for a non‐significant trend for faster reaction times in the BL group (p < 0.11). Additionally, the BL group reported significantly fewer cognitive complaints compared with the DL group (p < 0.05), as well as a non‐significant trend for less intrusive thoughts (p < 0.11). No group differences were observed in the biological stress markers. Conclusion Overall, these findings suggest that light therapy may help mitigate the adverse effects associated with BC surgery on CRCI and intrusive thoughts, although further research is warranted. Trial Registration: NCT04418856
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The Effects of Light Therapy on Cognitive Function and Stress in Women With Breast Cancer Before Systemic Treatment
- Creators
- Snaefridur Gudmundsdottir Aspelund - Reykjavík UniversityThorhildur HalldorsdottirGudjon Agustsson - Reykjavík UniversityHannah Ros Sigurdardottir Tobin - Reykjavík UniversityLisa M Wu - Aarhus UniversityAli Amidi - Aarhus UniversityKamilla R Johannsdottir - Reykjavík UniversitySusan K Lutgendorf - University of IowaRachel Telles - University of IowaHuldis Franksdottir Daly - Reykjavík UniversityKristin SigurdardottirMariana G Figueiro - Institute of Population and Public HealthWilliam H Redd - Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiHeiddis B Valdimarsdottir - Reykjavík UniversityBirna Baldursdottir - Reykjavík University
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Cancer medicine (Malden, MA), Vol.14(22), e71412
- DOI
- 10.1002/cam4.71412
- PMID
- 41275449
- PMCID
- PMC12640611
- NLM abbreviation
- Cancer Med
- ISSN
- 2045-7634
- eISSN
- 2045-7634
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons, Inc
- Grant note
- Icelandic Research Fund: 184999-051 The Icelandic Cancer Societys Research FundReykjavik University Research Fund
We would like to sincerely thank all our participants and our collaborators at the University Hospital of Iceland. Furthermore, we would like to thank Dr. Harpa Lind Hjordisar-Jonsdottir et al. for providing us with the PROMIS-Cognitive function norms for Iceland, as well as Kristine Wichuk for assisting with making and maintaining the CONSORT flowchart.
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/01/2025
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Urology
- Record Identifier
- 9985033760902771
Metrics
8 Record Views