Chronotherapy
Chronotherapy
Chronotherapy (pronounced: kroh-noh-THER-uh-pee) is a type of treatment in which sleep times are adjusted. It is often used to treat various types of sleep disorders, including delayed sleep phase disorder and advanced sleep phase disorder. The term comes from the Greek words "chronos" (time) and "therapy" (treatment).
Etymology
The term "Chronotherapy" is derived from the Greek words "chronos" meaning time and "therapy" meaning treatment. It was first used in the late 20th century to describe treatments based on the body's natural rhythms.
Related Terms
- Circadian rhythm: The physical, mental, and behavioral changes in the body that follow a roughly 24-hour cycle, responding primarily to light and darkness in an organism's environment.
- Sleep hygiene: Various practices and habits necessary to have good nighttime sleep quality and full daytime alertness.
- Melatonin: A hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle.
- Light therapy: A way to treat seasonal affective disorder and certain other conditions by exposure to artificial light.
Use in Medicine
In medicine, chronotherapy refers to the timing of medications to coincide with the body's rhythms. This can help to maximize the effectiveness of the medication and minimize side effects. For example, certain types of chemotherapy are more effective if given at specific times of day.
See Also
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