Circadian Sleep-wake Cycles, Well-being and Light Therapy in Borderline Personality Disorder

Individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) frequently suffer from emotional instability, daytime fatigue and sleep disturbances. The investigators examined circadian rhythms, sleep and well-being in women with BPD under their habitual life conditions with and without light treatment.

Treated women diagnosed with BPD were investigated during 3 weeks without and 3 weeks with morning LT. Rest-activity cycles were continuously measured using wrist actigraphy, together with proximal skin temperature. Saliva samples were collected weekly to determine the diurnal melatonin rhythm. A range of self-ratings and questionnaires were used to assess depression and clinical state throughout the 6-week protocol. Ten matched healthy women followed the same 6-week protocol without light treatment.