Objective: To assess the efficacy of Bright Light Therapy(BLT) for agitation and sleep disorders in dementia
Design:Randomised controlled trial
Materials and Methods:All residents in 2 nursing home ESMI units were screened for inclusion criteria;Dementia(ICD-10),Agitation(CMAI),sleep disorder(Sleep charts,Actigraph),and consent of nearest relative.49 patients were randomised to treatment(n=23) or placebo(n=26) BLT(10,000 lux,2hours/day for 2 weeks,accompanied by the same nurse).Main outcome measure CMAI;other measures,included MMSE,Cornell,Mousepad,Actigraphic sleep/activity scores.Randomisation based on a minimisation method.Measures repeated,baseline, immediately after treatment,one month after treatment.Ratings of main outcome measure made by researcher blinded to treatment condition.
Results:Both treatment and non-treatment groups showed highly significant reduction in CMAI immediately after treatment/placebo.There were no significant effects of depression or of gender.Some aspects of sleep were significantly improved in the treatment group compared to the placebo group.
Conclusion:Intensive nurse time is significantly effective in reducing agitation in severe dementia,with an effect size equivalent to BLT.BLT is beneficial in some aspects of sleep disorder in dementia
Back to S043 Non-Pharmacological Treatments for Dementia: a Report of Controlled Randomized Trials
Back to The Eleventh International Congress