What Is The Importance Of Adequate Sleep For Overall Health?

Improve Alzheimer’s Symptoms With Simple Therapy

A study published today in PLOS ONE suggests that light therapy could enhance sleep patterns and psycho-behavioral symptoms in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. The meta-analysis involved 15 high-quality randomized controlled studies conducted between 2005 and 2022 across seven countries, comprising a total of 598 participants.

The findings revealed several benefits of light therapy for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia:

1. Improved sleep efficiency, denoting the ratio between actual sleep time and total time spent in bed.
2. Increased interdaily stability, signifying the consistency of daily activity patterns.
3. Reduced interdaily variability, reflecting fewer disruptions in circadian rhythms, which dictate transitions between rest and activity throughout the day.

Furthermore, in individuals with Alzheimer’s, light therapy was associated with decreased depressive symptoms, agitation, and a reduction in caregiver burden.

Dr. Liron Sinvani, Director of Geriatric Hospitalist Services at Northwell Health, emphasized the prevalence and impact of behavioral and psychological symptoms, along with sleep disturbances, in individuals with Alzheimer’s. Notably, these symptoms not only affect the individual’s health but also contribute to significant caregiver stress. Sinvani highlighted the common use of medications to manage these symptoms, underscoring the potential risks associated with such treatments.

While the study showcased numerous benefits of light therapy, it acknowledged that intense bright light might exacerbate depressive and anxiety symptoms for some individuals due to its perceived invasiveness.

Despite the positive outcomes of light therapy, the study pointed out limitations, such as inconsistent types and degrees of dementia across studies and potential biases in randomization procedures in some articles.

Experts commended the promising potential of light therapy in alleviating symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease. They stressed the need for further research to determine optimal light intensity and treatment duration for favorable outcomes. Dr. Stella Panos, a neuropsychologist, highlighted the challenges in translating research findings to practical application, mentioning underfunding as a potential hindrance.

Sinvani emphasized the need for a deeper understanding of light therapy’s efficacy, considering its variable impacts across trials due to differences in light intensity and treatment duration. Despite these challenges, the study recognized light therapy as a promising non-pharmacological intervention to improve behaviors and sleep in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.