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Updated: Jan 17, 2026

Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments
Published on: August 8, 2019
Tailored light intervention for sleep and cognition in World Trade Center (WTC) cohort
Ola A Alsalman1, Weixin Li1, Rafael E de la Hoz2
1Light and Health Research Center, Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
Abstract:
World Trade Center rescue and recovery workers and volunteers (WTC RRWV) are vulnerable to circadian rhythm disruption due to stress and environmental exposures during the 9/11 operation, with high rates of cognitive impairment and poor sleep quality. This exploratory pilot study assessed the feasibility and preliminary effect of a 12-week light-based intervention targeting sleep and cognition. Twenty-three WTC RRWV aged ≥50 years with mild cognitive impairment and sleep disturbances completed the intervention. Sleep, cognition, and circadian-effective light exposures were measured pre-and post-intervention using actigraphy, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, cognitive tasks (go/no-go, digit span, Stroop), and a Daysimeter. Results showed significant improvements in sleep quality and cognitive performance. Greater circadian-effective light exposure was positively associated with improved cognitive accuracy. These preliminary observations suggest that light-based interventions may enhance sleep and cognitive function in at-risk populations.
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