Effect of Light Rx on Cognition, Insomnia in Seniors

Hi - Can't remember where I found this, but it's interesting!

ABSTRACT

Brief Report Light Therapy for Seniors in Long Term Care
Michael Royer PhD a, Noel H. Ballentine MD, FACP b, *, Paul J. Eslinger PhD c, Kevin Houser PhD, PE, LC, LEED AP a, Richard Mistrick PhD, PE a, Richard Behr PhD, PE a, Kirk Rakos MEd/CTRS d
a Department of Architectural Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA b Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA c Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA d Masonic Villages, Elizabethtown, PA
Keywords:

Light therapy blue light seniors long term care cognition depression insomnia
light emitting diode (LED)

Objectives: To investigate the effects of light therapy on cognition, depression, sleep, and circadian rhythms in a general, nonselected population of seniors living in a long term care facility. Design: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Setting: The experiment took place at a long term care facility in Pennsylvania.

Participants: Study participants (15 treatment, 13 placebo) were residents receiving either personal care or skilled nursing care. Intervention: Treatment consisted of approximately 400 lux of blue light administered for 30 minutes per day, Monday through Friday, for 4 weeks. The placebo was approximately 75 lux of red light generated from the same device.

Measurements: Behavioral assessments were made using the MicroCog Assessment of Cognitive Functioning, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Profile of Mood States. Daytime sleepiness was evaluated using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Results: Three of the 4 composite scores from the MicroCog as well as the mean Tension/Anxiety score from the Profile of Mood States showed a significant treatment versus placebo effect.

Conclusion: Blue light treatment led to significant cognitive improvements compared with placebo red light and may be a promising environmental intervention to reduce cognitive symptoms in elderly, longterm care residents.
Circadian rhythms are related to homeostasis and regulation of many important physiological and functional capacities including sleep-wake patterns, activity levels, arousal, appetite, hormone secretion, body temperature cycles, cardiovascular function, mood and emotions, cognition and memory, and some specific cell functions. Circadian rhythms require entrainment from an external stimulus, typically exposure to optical radiation, called a zeitgeber. This radiation is commonly referred to as “light,” although it is not used in this context as the stimulus for vision. Recent advances in understanding the physiology of the eye, most notably distinguishing intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells as a critical circadian photoreceptor,1 demonstrate the importance of

This project was funded by the Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute at Penn State University.
* Address correspondence to Noel H. Ballentine, MD, FACP, Division of General Internal Medicine, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, P.O. Box 850, Hershey, PA 17033e0850.
E-mail address: nballentine@hmc.psu.edu (N. H. Ballentine).
Copyright ! 2012 - American Medical Directors Association, Inc.

Julie,

Thanks for the post about this abstract. It does sound interesting. Also makes me realize that I probably need to climb back on the make sure I get some early morning light every morning or admit that I ought to just drag the SAD light back out.

Thanks Julie for the information. When I was researching more information on various circadian rhythm disorders, I would run across information about light therapy for senior citizens.

In my own situation, I seem to have advanced phase syndrome. One sleep doctor I had seen previously suggested blue light therapy in the evening. The problem is I kept falling asleep But at some point, I may give it another shot if I can figure out how to stay awake.

49er

The Philips goLITE on Amazon seem to have very good customer reviews. I have the older model. I haven't been using it as much as I should but it seems to work well.

yaconsult wrote:The Philips goLITE on Amazon seem to have very good customer reviews. I have the older model. I haven't been using it as much as I should but it seems to work well.

I agree it was a good model but I ended up returning it since falling asleep during the therapy was defeating the purpose. Anyway, I think if I can achieve what I did the other night in going to bed around 10pm and waking at 4am, I will be happy with that for now.

Since this type of sleeping pattern runs in my family, I have to be realistic about how much I can change it. I am certainly not going to turn into a night owl.

By the way, many months ago, I took a one day temp assignment at night because I couldn't resist the pay. Let's just say it didn't turn out well.

49er

I've been lucky this year because I got a light rack for my plants - a daylight high lumen fluorescent that sits over them all day, and simulates daylight. It's close to where I sit in the living rm (vs here so often) and really does seem to even out mood at times when I think I otherwise would miss it. Hope I don't sprout leaves in future! Now if only I could tell if it's making me smarter.

Years ago, when they were converting our fluorescents at work from T12 to T8, I had the company replace my section's areas, including my 16 office bulbs, with 6500K daylight tubes. We're in the center of the building and have no windows. It seemed a little harsh and a lot blue at first, but everyone adjusted pretty quickly and it wasn't long before we all agreed we were in a better mood and felt more energetic. At home, we've replaced warmer CFLs with 6500, first in the kitchen.

Got to walk the dog. Lots of sun out there. Or not. It's 51 degrees outside, and overcast.
He still needs to go. Can't shove it off onto the bullfrog until AFTER the surgery. Then.