DEM.LIGHT

Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), as well as sleep problems affect 90% of people with dementia. Today, psychotropic drugs are used to a large extent to suppress such symptoms, despite a lack of effect and significant side effects. Light therapy shows promising results, but there is a need for larger randomized and controlled studies.

DEM.LIGHT installed light therapy rooms in dementia units to investigate the effect on sleep, circadian rhythm, behavioral problems, mental illness, drug use, pain and quality of life.

DEM.LIGHT is a randomized controlled trial that recruited 69 patients from 8 units at 8 nursing homes. The units were randomized to: the intervention group which received light treatment for 24 weeks, and the control group which received the same weeks of placebo (standard indoor light).

The study used the medical journal, validated instruments and objective measures of sleep, behavioral disorders and mental illness.

New LED technology represents a significant practical development of light therapy. The lights can be integrated into standard ceiling fixtures and programmed to optimal lighting conditions throughout the day. This technology can have major implications for clinical practice in nursing homes. The treatment technique can be adapted for home use, potentially increasing the possibility of people with dementia living longer at home.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03357328