Improvement in behavioral symptoms and advance of activity acrophase after short-term bright light treatment in severe dementia.
Ten elderly subjects with severe dementia were given bright light (5000-8000 lux) for 45 min each morning for 4 weeks. Two rating scales of behavioral symptoms in dementia were used as outcome measures: Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) and Behavior Pathology In Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale (BEHAVE-AD), a scale for sleep-wake disturbances, and actigraphy to monitor activity rhythm. Behavioral symptoms improved with treatment. No changes in sleep-wake measures were found. There was an advance of the activity rhythm acrophase during treatment. These results suggest that short-time bright light improves behavioral symptoms and aspects of activity rhythm disturbances even in severely demented subjects.
Olaviken Treatment Center, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. arvid.skjerve@psykp.uib.no
Arvid
A
Skjerve
Fred
F
Holsten
Dag
D
Aarsland
Bjørn
B
Bjorvatn
Harald A
HA
Nygaard
Inger Marie
IM
Johansen
D000204:Activity Cycles; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010789:Phototherapy; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome