None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The older population often presented with changes in mood, such as depression. Biological changes in the body can contribute to depression. These changes can be altered by strategic management of light exposure. It is believed that exposing older people to light in the early morning will lead to biological shifts, which will reduce depressive symptoms. The purpose of the study is to see whether exposing older people to artificial light and natural sunlight can improve their symptoms of depression, with the aim of improving treatment opportunities for the older population.
Interventions
Arm 1: Group A will receive Artificial light therapy: provided through Re-Timer goggles, which provide a blue-green 500 nm dominant wavelength, UV free-light at a setting of 506 Lux lm/m2. Participants will wear the goggles and receive the light therapy between the hours of 6am and 8am for 30 minutes for two consecutive weeks, Monday to Friday. Researchers will remain with participants to monitor adherence.
Arm 2: Group B will receive Natural light therapy: provided through natural sunlight. P
Arm 1: Group A will receive Artificial light therapy: provided through Re-Timer goggles, which provide a blue-green 500 nm dominant wavelength, UV free-light at a setting of 506 Lux lm/m2. Participants will wear the goggles and receive the light therapy between the hours of 6am and 8am for 30 minutes for two consecutive weeks, Monday to Friday. Researchers will remain with participants to monitor adherence. Arm 2: Group B will receive Natural light therapy: provided through natural sunlight. Participants will sit outside in the early morning light for 30 minutes between the hours of 6am and 8am, for two consecutive weeks, Monday to Friday. Researchers will remain with participants to monitor adherence. Group A and B will be randomly assigned to A1 or A2 and B1 or B2. A1 (artificial light) and B1 (natural light) will receive therapy for two consecutive weeks, Monday to Friday. While Group A2 and B2 will be allocated to the control group and receive care as usual. Following these two weeks, Group A2 (artificial light) and B2 (natural light) will receive two consecutive weeks of light therapy and A1 and B2 will receive care as usual. Following this four week period, all participants will be allocated to a "wash out" period of two consecutive weeks. The total study time is 6 weeks. Participants will either receive artificial light therapy or natural light therapy. Outcome measures will be administered at baseline, 2 weeks following treatment commencement, 4 weeks following treatment commencement and 6 weeks following treatment commencement.
Sponsors
Miss Natalie Muldoon
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Other
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
A score of 6 or higher on the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia Meet the criteria for dementia as set out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV
Exclusion criteria
Arm 1: Artifical light therapy No history of epilepsy or manic depressive psychosis No diagnosis of bipolar disorder No photosensitizing medication including but not limited to, pain killers or psychiatric drugs No degenerative eye conditions including but not limited to, cataracts, glaucoma or retinal disorders Arm 2: Natural light therapy No photosensitizing medication including but not limited to, pain killers or psychiatric drugs
Outcome results
None listed