faculty of social sciences: School of Psychology
flinders university
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Dr Helen Wright

Ph.D, Master of Psychology (Clinical)

   

Research Interests

The effectiveness of a new portable light source in phase delaying and advancing the melatonin circadian rhythm

My research interests are in the areas if circadian rhythms, sleep and insomnia. I am particularly interested in cognitive-behaviour and bright light therapies for the treatment of insomnia for children, adolescents and adults. Previously I evaluated the effectiveness of a portable light source in changing the phase of circadian rhythms and found that blue light in this device was the most effective light in altering the circadian rhythm.

Postgraduate Students


Jane Cocks

Project Title:
Evaluating a non-pharmacological combination treatment of bright light therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia in older adults

Selected Publications

Lack, L., Bramwel, T., Wright, H., Kemp, K. (2007). Morning blue light can advance the melatonin rhythm in mild delayed sleep phase syndrome. Sleep and Biological Rhythms, 5, 78-80.

Lack, L. & Wright, H. (2007). In the Clinic: A treatment manual series; Clinical management of delayed sleep phase syndrome. Behaviour Sleep Medicine. 5(1), 57-76.

Wright, H.R. & Lack, L.C. (2006). The effect of different wavelengths of light in changing the phase of the melatonin circadian rhythm. In S.R. Pandi-Perumal and D.P. Cardinali (Eds.). Melatonin: Biological basis of its function in health and disease. Georgetown, Texas: Landes Bioscience, pp170-183

Wright, H., Lack, L. & Bootzin, R. (2006). The relationship between Dim Light Melatonin Onset and the timing of sleep in sleep onset insomniacs. Journal of Sleep and Biological Rhythms, 4(1), 78-80.

Lack, L., Wright, H., Gibbon, S., Kemp, K. (2005). The treatment of early-morning awakening insomnia with two evenings of bright light. Sleep 28, 616-623.

Wright, H.R., Lack, L.C. & Kennaway, D.J. (2004). Differential Effects of light wavelength in phase advancing the melatonin rhythm. Journal of Pineal Research, 35: 1-5.

Lack, L., Wright, H. & Bearpark, H. (2003). Insomnia: How to sleep easy, the latest non-drug treatments for sleep disturbances. Sydney: ACP Publishing and Media 21 Publishers. (ISBN 1 876624 96 5.)

Wright, H.R. & Lack, L.C. (2001). Effect of wavelength on suppression and phase delay of the melatonin rhythm. Chronobiology International, 18(5), 801-808.

Wright, H.R., Lack, L.C., & Partridge, K.J. (2001). Light emitting Diodes can be used to phase delay the melatonin rhythm. Journal of Pineal Research, 31(4), 350-355.

Kennaway, D.J. & Wright, H.R. (2001). Melatonin and circadian rhythms, Current Topics Medical Chemistry 2(2), 199-209.

Contact Details

School of Psychology
Flinders University of South Australia
GPO Box 2100
Adelaide, South Australia 5001

Office: 356 Social Sciences North
Phone: (+61 8) 8201 2377
Fax: (+61 8) 8201 3877
Email: helen.wright@flinders.edu.au