Which of the following is a non-pharmacologic strategy for circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder?

• A. Light therapy
• B. Ramelteon
• C. Melatonin
• D. Sleep aids

Answer: (A)

Light therapy uses timed exposure to bright light to shift the body's internal clock and realign sleep timing. Because it changes the circadian rhythm with light rather than a drug, it’s a non-pharmacologic approach to circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders. Medications like Ramelteon and Melatonin act on receptors or hormones to influence sleep, and “sleep aids” typically refer to pharmacologic sleep medications, so they are not non-pharmacologic. The effectiveness of light therapy hinges on delivering light at the right time to advance or delay the circadian phase, helping the sleep–wake schedule match the desired routine.