Differential effects of bright light and social cues on reentrainment of human circadian rhythms

Abstract

Reentrainment of human circadian rhythm to an 8-h advanced schedule of sleep and social contacts was assessed under two different conditions: with and without bright light (4,000-6,000 lx). Subjects spent 15 days without knowing the natural day-night alternation. On the fourth day, the social schedule was phase-advanced by 8 h. In one experiment, a bright light pulse of 3-h duration was given in every subjective morning, and in the other no light pulse was applied. Plasma melatonin and rectal temperature rhythms were measured. Seven of nine subjects showed an orthodromic phase shift, the rate of which was significantly larger with bright light pulses than without them. The maximum phase-advance shift by three consecutive light pulses was observed when the first pulse was applied approximately 4 h after the onset of melatonin rise. By contrast, the maximum phase shift of a similar extent was detected at 1 h after the onset of melatonin rise, when ordinary room light (300-500 lx) at the time corresponding to bright light was regarded as a dim light pulse. It is concluded that bright light accelerates the reentrainment of human circadian rhythm, and bright light and social schedule have differential effects on the reentrainment.