Spending just 30 minutes in natural sunlight, along with regular medical treatment, may significantly improve recovery and quality of life among stroke patients, according to a new study conducted by doctors at AIIMS, New Delhi. The findings suggest that sunlight exposure could serve as a simple, affordable addition to post-stroke rehabilitation, especially in resource-limited settings.
The study was presented during the institute’s fifth Research Day and highlights how a natural and easily accessible intervention can support recovery in patients who often face long, expensive, and demanding rehabilitation journeys.
Growing Burden of Stroke in India
Stroke remains one of the leading causes of long-term disability in India. As per Global Burden of Disease estimates, around 1.25 million new stroke cases were reported in the country in 2021, while nearly 9.4 million people continue to live with stroke-related disabilities.
Recovery is often slow, requiring prolonged therapy, regular hospital visits, and specialised care—services that many patients cannot consistently afford or access. This has created an urgent need for low-cost, home-friendly rehabilitation options.
How the Study Was Conducted
The research was carried out between November 2023 and April 2025 and included adult stroke patients aged between 18 and 80 years who had suffered a moderate stroke within the previous month. After screening over 200 patients, researchers selected 40 participants and randomly divided them into two groups.
One group received standard medical treatment and rehabilitation, while the second group received the same care along with 30 minutes of monitored sunlight exposure on alternate days for 15 days. The intensity of sunlight was carefully measured using a lux meter to ensure safety.
Better Quality of Life, Sleep and Mood
Patients who received sunlight therapy showed significant improvement in stroke-related quality of life compared to those on routine care alone. Researchers also observed better sleep patterns and improved mood among patients exposed to sunlight, with no serious side effects reported.
Doctors believe sunlight may aid recovery by helping regulate sleep cycles, improving vitamin D levels, and reducing inflammation—factors that play a crucial role in healing after a stroke.
Hope for Home-Based Recovery
Researchers followed the patients for three months, assessing daily activity levels, mobility, emotional health, sleep quality, and overall well-being. While the study involved a relatively small sample size and was conducted at a single centre, experts say the findings are important.
Since sunlight is free, safe, and widely available, it could be especially beneficial for patients recovering at home or in rural areas where access to rehabilitation services is limited.
A Small Step with Big Potential
With India facing a growing stroke-related disability burden, the study suggests that something as simple as safe daily exposure to sunlight could become a valuable part of post-stroke care if confirmed through larger, multi-centre studies.
