High Intensity Light Therapy in Alzheimer's Disease

Completed · Phase 3

Conditions studied: Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia

In brief

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.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT00065689

Run by

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

People needed

107

Starts

2003-03-01

Expected to finish

2005-09-01

Last updated by the study team

2006-07-26

Who can join

Age: 55 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Diagnosis of dementia
• Residence on study units

You may not qualify if…

• Bipolar disorder
• Severe retinal (eye) disease

Where it is running

• John Umstead Hospital — Butner, North Carolina, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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