Reduction of human sleep duration after bright light exposure in the morning.

In 8 subjects the spontaneous termination of sleep was determined after repetitive exposure to either bright or dim light, between 6.00 and 9.00 h, on 3 days preceding sleep assessment. Sleep duration was significantly shorter following bright light than following dim light. During sleep the time course of EEG energy was not affected by the light treatment. Analysis of the time course of body temperature during sleep indicated an earlier rise of body temperature following the bright light treatment. In terms of the two-process model of sleep regulation this can be interpreted as a direct effect of light on the circadian phase of the wake up threshold.