Work

Daily light exposure habits of youth with migraine: a prospective exploratory study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Photophobia is a common symptom in youth with migraine, but it is unknown if this leads to light-avoidant behavior, and its effect on migraine disease burden. We conducted an exploratory study measuring light exposure using wearable light logger pendants in 20 adolescents with migraine (ages 15–21) over one week. On average, participants received recommended light exposure during only 15.1% during the day ( $$\ge$$ 250 lux melanopic equivalent daytime illuminance from 7:00–17:00) but were generally within recommended light levels in the evening (78.1% from 20:00–23:00 at $$\le$$ 10 lux), and at night (99.1% from 0:00–6:00 at $$\le$$ 1 lux). We observed differences in light exposure on weekdays versus weekends. Individual variation in circadian delay of light exposure was strongly correlated with the number of headache days per month (Rho = 0.66, p = 0.002). Measuring daily light exposure is feasible in pediatric populations with photophobia and warrants further study.

Source: npj Biological Timing and Sleep

DOI: 10.1038/s44323-025-00056-y