None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Many older people in residential aged care settings receive reduced levels of bright light. Bright light is essential for maintaining the body clock (circadian rhythm). This project is a randomised controlled trial to investigate whether bright light therapy can help reduce depressive symptoms in older people living in residential care. Residents from Vasey RSL Brighton East will be randomised into an intervention or control group. The intervention group will spend time in a lounge room equipped with bright lights (of at least 2,000 lux) for one hour each morning, Monday to Friday for 2 weeks. The control group will spend time in a room equipped with normal lights (300-500 lux) for one hour each morning, Monday to Friday for 2 weeks. Depressive symptoms will be measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale before and after the treatment period. Secondary outcomes to be investigated include cognition, behaviour and quality of life.
Interventions
Participants will spend 1 hour in a room fitted with bright lights that provide 2000-3000 lux at eye level. Light intensity will be measured using a calibrated light meter. The room has space for six residents and one staff member, with a central table and toilet facilities located adjacent to the room. The bright light exposure period will be from 10am-11am, Monday to Friday for two weeks. While in the room, a staff member will be present and will provide residents with morning tea and condu
Participants will spend 1 hour in a room fitted with bright lights that provide 2000-3000 lux at eye level. Light intensity will be measured using a calibrated light meter. The room has space for six residents and one staff member, with a central table and toilet facilities located adjacent to the room. The bright light exposure period will be from 10am-11am, Monday to Friday for two weeks. While in the room, a staff member will be present and will provide residents with morning tea and conduct social activities or assist residents as needed. Residents will be encouraged to remain in the room for the one hour period; however if they wish to leave they will not be prevented from doing so. The residential aged care facility has 2 floors with the same living room on each floor to be used for the study - on one floor the room is fitted with bright lights for the intervention group. This will also enable bright light and usual light groups to occur at the same time.
Sponsors
National Ageing Research Institute
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
-Vasey RSL Brighton East residents. -Residents with low mood who have capacity to consent, or who have a person responsible who is able to provide consent. -Residents who are able to be transported to the light therapy room or equivalent and able to remain in the room for a one hour period.
Exclusion criteria
-Residents who are receiving palliative care -Residents with severe eye disease -Residents who require a secure facility
Outcome results
None listed