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Bright light therapy for agitation in dementia: a randomized controlled trial

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2009

Alistair Burns ,
Harry Allen ,
Barbara Tomenson ,
Debbie Duignan  and
Jane Byrne
Alistair Burns*
Affiliation:
Old Age Psychiatry, University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K. Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust, Manchester, U.K.
Harry Allen
Affiliation:
Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust, Manchester, U.K.
Barbara Tomenson
Affiliation:
Psychiatry Research Group, School of Community Based Medicine, University of Manchester University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K.
Debbie Duignan
Affiliation:
Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust, Manchester, U.K.
Jane Byrne
Affiliation:
Old Age Psychiatry, University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K.
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Alistair Burns, Professor of Old Age Psychiatry, University of Manchester, 3rd Floor, University Place, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K. Phone: +44 (0)161 306 7941; Fax: +44 (0)161 306 7945. Email: alistair.burns@manchester.ac.uk.
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Abstract

Background: Agitation is common in people with dementia, is distressing to patients and stressful to their carers. Drugs used to treat the condition have the potential to cause particularly severe side effects in older people with dementia and have been associated with an increased death rate. Alternatives to drug treatment for agitation should be sought. The study aimed to assess the effects of bright light therapy on agitation and sleep in people with dementia.

Methods: A single center randomized controlled trial of bright light therapy versus standard light was carried out. The study was completed prior to the mandatory registration of randomized controls on the clinical trials registry database and, owing to delays in writing up, retrospective registration was not completed.

Results: There was limited evidence of reduction in agitation in people on active treatment, sleep was improved and a suggestion of greater efficacy in the winter months.

Conclusions: Bright light therapy is a potential alternative to drug treatment in people with dementia who are agitated.

Keywords

sleep disturbancecircadian rhythm
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 21 , Issue 4 , August 2009 , pp. 711 - 721
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2009

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