title: Light therapy for seniors in long term care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of light therapy on cognition, depression, sleep, and circadian rhythms in a general, nonselected population of seniors living in a long term care facility.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The experiment took place at a long term care facility in Pennsylvania.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study participants (15 treatment, 13 placebo) were residents receiving either personal care or skilled nursing care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Treatment consisted of approximately 400 lux of blue light administered for 30 minutes per day, Monday through Friday, for 4 weeks. The placebo was approximately 75 lux of red light generated from the same device.
  
  
  METHODS
  Behavioral assessments were made using the MicroCog Assessment of Cognitive Functioning, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Profile of Mood States. Daytime sleepiness was evaluated using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three of the 4 composite scores from the MicroCog as well as the mean Tension/Anxiety score from the Profile of Mood States showed a significant treatment versus placebo effect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Blue light treatment led to significant cognitive improvements compared with placebo red light and may be a promising environmental intervention to reduce cognitive symptoms in elderly, long-term care residents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Architectural Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Royer
authors.forename: Noel H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Ballentine
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Eslinger
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Houser
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mistrick
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Behr
authors.forename: Kirk
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rakos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome