Testing a new lighting system to prevent falls in people with Alzheimer's disease
Official title: A Pragmatic Crossover Trial to Test the Effectiveness of a Novel Lighting System to Reduce Nighttime Falls in Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10897821 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new lighting system to see if it can help prevent falls at night for people with Alzheimer's and similar conditions, making it safer for them to move around when they wake up.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,179,423 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG075010-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10897821 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are ambulatory individuals aged 65 and older who have Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are non-ambulatory or do not have Alzheimer's disease or related dementias may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of a novel lighting system designed to reduce nighttime falls among individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The study builds on previous findings that showed a significant decrease in falls due to this lighting intervention. Participants will be ambulatory individuals who awaken at night, and the research aims to assess how this lighting can enhance postural stability and safety. The approach involves a pragmatic crossover trial, allowing for direct comparisons of fall rates before and after the intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of falls and related injuries in patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with similar lighting interventions, indicating potential for success in this research.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zimmerman, Sheryl — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Zimmerman, Sheryl
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.