Light Therapy holds promise as a treatment for Alzheimer's Disease

A new article, conducted by Lili Zang and colleagues from Weifang Medical University School of Nursing in Shandong Province, China, discusses a meta-analysis of 15 high-quality trials that investigated the impact of light therapy on individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

The meta-analysis included 598 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, and it covered 15 randomized controlled trials conducted in seven different countries. Those trials were published between 2005 and 2022.

Sleep Improvement

Light therapy led to significant improvements in several sleep measures. It notably enhanced sleep efficiency, increased interdaily stability, and reduced intradaily variability, all of which are indicators of better sleep quality.

Light therapy was associated with a reduction in agitation, depression, and caregiver burden among individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

A significant advantage over usual care was shown in reducing the severity of psychobehavioral symptoms, as assessed by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory.

Not in Cognitive Function

While light therapy had positive effects on sleep and psychological well-being, it did not show a statistically significant effect on improving cognitive function, as measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination.

The study suggests that light therapy has low side effects, making it a promising treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

However, the authors also highlight the importance of considering adverse behavioral outcomes in patients due to exposure to bright light.

The meta-analysis acknowledges some limitations, including inconsistencies in the types and degrees of dementia in the included studies, which may affect the outcome indicators.

In summary, the findings suggest that light therapy holds promise as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in improving sleep quality and alleviating psychological symptoms. The study emphasizes the need to weigh the benefits of light therapy against potential adverse effects and acknowledges certain limitations in the available research.

👉Explore marketed lamps

References

Light Therapy a Beacon of Hope for Alzheimer's?

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/light-therapy-beacon-hope-alzheimers-2023a1000vk4

Zang L, Liu X, Li Y, et al. The effect of light therapy on sleep disorders and psychobehavioral symptoms in patients with Alzheimer’s disease: A meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2023;18(12):e0293977. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0293977

Comments

Nordic Walking Benefits, ADHD and Diet, Supplements and Cancer, Sources of Fiber

A Better Way To Walk: Nordic Walking Improves Quality of Life, Depression, and Functional Capacity SciTechDaily Reference: “Sustained Effects of Different Exercise Modalities on Physical and Mental Health in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: A Randomized ... Dietary Interventions for ADHD: Emerging Research and Considerations There has been increasing interest in the role that diet and supplements play in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, from patients and researchers alike. Diet is an important treatment approach to consider, as it is a lifestyle change rather than a medication. Additionally, at least 10% to 30% of children with ADHD are non-responsive to, or experience adverse effects from, ADHD medications.1 A dietary approach to ADHD can be complementary to a conventional pharmacological approach, giving patients and their families more options toward a personalized treatment plan. This article will examine current research about di

More People Are Microdosing for Mental Health. But Does It Work?

By Dana G Smith. Joseph started microdosing psychedelics five years ago to try to improve his mental health. “I was just kind of in this depression, in this rut,” he said. “I was unhappy and angry and agitated all the time, and it went against the way that I saw myself.” Depression and anxiety run in Joseph’s family, and he’d been prescribed Prozac as a kid. But when symptoms of depression returned in his early 30s, he didn’t want to go back to a prescription drug. Joseph, an Austin-based designer (he asked to withhold his full name, citing privacy concerns surrounding mental health issues and illegal drug use), came across research from Johns Hopkins University about psilocybin, the active ingredient in hallucinogenic, or “magic,” mushrooms. In a small study, full doses of the drug helped cancer patients cope with depression and anxiety. Then he read anecdotes of Silicon Valley influencers claiming increased energy from taking tiny doses of psychedelics. So he decided to start microdo

Exploring the Link Between Circadian Rhythms, Longevity, and Wearable Data: Insights and Future Directions

A recent study in NHANES 2011–2014 explores the potential connection between disruptions in circadian rhythms, measured using wearable devices, and their impact on health outcomes and longevity. The study analyzes data from 7,297 U.S. adults collected through wearable accelerometers as a novel digital biomarker for longevity. Five distinct clusters were identified based on activity profiles: "High activity," "Low activity," "Mild circadian rhythm (CR) disruption," "Severe CR disruption," and "Very low activity." The findings reveal that young adults with extreme circadian rhythm disturbance exhibit higher white blood cell counts and accelerated biological aging. Older adults with circadian disruption are associated with increased systemic inflammation indexes, advanced biological aging, and higher all-cause mortality risk. The research underscores the importance of circadian alignment for longevity at all ages and suggests that wearable

Wellness-uptodate

Search This Blog