Radford University has partnered with three Commonwealth Care of Roanoke facilities — Lee Health & Rehab, Chase City Health & Rehab, and Manassas Health & Rehab, to evaluate bright light exposure on depression and agitation in older adults with dementia. The study is funded by the Virginia Alzheimer’s and Related Diseases Research Award Fund.

Many older adults with dementia living in long-term care facilities experience depression and agitation.  While research results to date are inconclusive, bright light exposure appears to reduce depression and agitation in long-term care residents with dementia.  The purpose of this study is to determine if the degree of improvement in depression and agitation scores over the course of eight weeks is significantly greater in persons with dementia receiving bright light exposure than in persons with dementia receiving placebo light exposure.  Participants will be randomly assigned to a group that receives bright light exposure or a group that receives placebo light exposure.  Individuals in the intervention group will be seated approximately 27 inches away from a bright light, which delivers 10,000 lux at 27 inches, for 30 minutes twice a day, five times a week for eight weeks.  Individuals in the control group will be seated approximately 27 inches away from an identical lamp adapted to deliver low level light at 27 inches for 30 minutes twice a day, five times a week for eight weeks.  For individuals in both the intervention and control groups, dementia, depression, and agitation assessments will be obtained both before and after the eight week period of light exposure.  If a safe, low-cost intervention, such as bright light exposure, reduces depression and agitation in older adults with dementia, benefits would include improved quality of life for individuals, reduced use of medications for depression and agitation, and reduced personal and societal costs.

The study will begin November 4, 2013 through December 27, 2013.

For more information, please feel free to contact Bob Ham, Administrator, at 276-546-4566.