The Light in Alzheimers

Background Information:

• Alzheimer’s disease is progressive brain disorder that irreversibly and gradually destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out even the simplest of tasks. It has progressed to have become the most common cause of dementia in older adults. Even though dementia is more common as people grow older, it is not a normal part of aging thus explaining the multiple avenues of treatment available for this disease.
• A more recently popular method of treatment is using bright light therapy. This consists of regular, frequent exposure to a light anywhere from five to thirty times brighter than typical indoor lights. The light is placed in a box with a screen that diffuses it. The person receiving bright light therapy is asked to sit in front of the light source for a set amount of time each day while their assessments are being taken.
• Bright light therapy was originally designed for people struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder and bright light therapy has also been used to treat circadian problems, where people have trouble sleeping well at night. More recently, however, bright light therapy has used as a complementary therapy for people with Alzheimer’s disease and similar dementias since it offers similar benefits to medication, while not having the negative side effects of medication interaction.

 Study/Method:

• Sample
  • Size: 300 individuals (150 in the experimental group, 150 in the control)
  • Age range: 50+
  • Sex: Either male or female
  • Race/Ethnicity: Not a determining factor

• Participants in the experimental group will receive a daily treatment of Bright Light therapy for one hour at 40 Hz for a total of 6 months
• For the remaining 6 months, the duration of the treatment will be 5 minutes shorter every month that passes until the year mark.
• A consent form must be signed by all participants in the Bright Light therapy trial that include the following:
  • A full description of the process
  • The duration of the study
  • Any risk can appear during the process. Healthcare workers will be available and looking after you and the other participants very carefully during the study. If the participant is concerned about what the treatment is doing, there will always be a way to address any concerns.
  • Any possible benefit from the study/ or lack of a benefit
  • A full explanation of the trail’s level of confidentiality. The information that we collect from the Bright Light therapy trial will be kept confidential. Information about you that will be collected during the research will be put away and no-one but the researchers will be able to see it. Any information about you will have a number on it instead of your name. Only the researchers will know what your number is
  • A right to refuse or withdraw at any time of the experiment. You do not have to take part in this research if you do not wish to do so. You may also stop participating in the research at any time you choose. It is your choice and all of your rights will still be respected.
  • Who to contact. Full information of the professionals in the study who will answer any question or concern raised by the participants.

Anticipated Results:

• If the participant follows through with the outlined trial procedure, there is expected significantly better sleep cycles, improved cognition, and improved behavioral functioning. Further testing must be done to fully understand the effects of Bright Light therapy and its involvement with Alzheimer’s disease.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19029878

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3553247/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/light-therapy/about/pac-20384604