Editorial Medicalfacts / Janine Budding December 16, 2023 – 8:42 PM
In the Netherlands, almost 300,000 people live with dementia. In addition to memory problems, 80-90% of patients also experience sleeping, psychological and behavioral problems. Medication has little effect and often negative side effects. New PhD research by Dr. Ellen van Lieshout-van Dal (Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University) shows the promising effect of dynamic light on the sleep pattern and psychological well-being of people with dementia. “Dynamic light could help people with dementia continue to live at home longer.”
People with dementia are often exposed to too little light. This is because they spend less time outside, because of limited light in homes and because the lens of the eye becomes clouded and stiffened during the aging process, which is intensified by dementia. Light has a major influence on our health through the biological clock in our brain. In a PhD study by Dr. Ellen van Lieshout-van Dal, the effect of dynamic light as a possible intervention for people with dementia was examined. “Dynamic light imitates the course of natural daylight, in intensity and color. In my research we used dynamic light systems to see whether light can positively influence the sleeping pattern, behavior and psychological well-being of people with dementia,” says Van Lieshout-van Dal.
Rarely performed: research in a home situation
What is special about the research is that, in addition to a clinical setting, it was also carried out at home. “Previous research into the use of dynamic light shows promising results. But almost all research has been done in institutions and not in the home situation, where people have a different lifestyle and are in a different phase of their dementia process. Each home also has a different incidence of light, depending on the presence of windows, window decoration and geographical location,” says the researcher.
Improvement of sleep patterns and psychological well-being, reduction of disinhibited behavior
Patients in a psychiatric clinic were exposed to light for a period of three weeks, followed by three weeks without exposure to the dynamic light installation. “Participants were therefore exposed to more light. They showed a significant improvement in sleep patterns, such as the number of minutes of sleep and frequency of nighttime wandering. Disinhibited behavior also decreased significantly,” says the researcher. In contrast to research in the clinic, dynamic light in the home situation appears to have no significant effect on sleep patterns. This is probably because people at home spend more time outside than people in an institution. It does appear that people experience significantly fewer symptoms of agitation and depression.
Meaningful intervention in dark seasons and homes
The results of the study show that dynamic light is a promising technological intervention to support people with dementia. “The use of a dynamic lighting system is especially useful in dark seasons, for people who rarely spend time outside, or in houses with a dark interior or few windows,” concludes Van Lieshout-van Dal.
Link to Dr. Ellen van Lieshout-van Dal’s dissertation: ‘Dynamic light and dementia: The impact of dynamic light exposure on sleep and well-being in care and home setting’.
Bron: Tilburg University
Editorial Medicalfacts / Janine Budding
I studied physiotherapy and health care business administration. I am also a registered independent client supporter and informal care broker. I have a lot of experience in various positions in healthcare, the social domain and the medical and pharmaceutical industries, nationally and internationally. And I have broad medical knowledge of most specialties in healthcare. And the healthcare laws from which healthcare is regulated and financed. I attend most of the leading medical conferences in Europe and America every year to keep my knowledge up to date and to keep up with the latest developments and innovations. I am currently doing a Masters in applied psychology.
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2023-12-16 20:17:04
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