High Intensity Light Therapy in Alzheimer's Disease

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 3

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT00065689

Enrollment

107

Registered

2003-08-01

Start date

2003-03-31

Completion date

2005-09-30

Last updated

2006-07-26

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia

Keywords

Alzheimer's disease, light therapy, long-term care, depression, sleep, agitation

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether bright light improves the sleep, mood, and behavior of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD) who live in long-term care settings and, if so, to determine the best timing for the light therapy. The light levels being used in the study have been shown to improve depression in persons with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and to relieve sleep problems in persons with jet lag and other body rhythm disturbances. Because persons with AD often will not remain still in front of a fluorescent panel, this project has involved renovations in the study units that provide for even, regulated, high-intensity light in all public areas of the study settings.

Detailed description

See Brief Summary

Interventions

DEVICEhigh-intensity light therapy

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

CROSSOVER

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

55 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Diagnosis of dementia * Residence on study units

Exclusion criteria

* Bipolar disorder * Severe retinal (eye) disease

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026