Using tailored light treatment to improve sleep and behavior in people with dementia
Methodology Issues in a Tailored Light Treatment for Persons with Dementia
This study is looking at how special lighting can help improve sleep, mood, and behavior in people with Alzheimer's and similar conditions, by finding the best way to use light in places like memory care facilities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10809599 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how a customized lighting intervention can positively affect sleep, behavior, and mood in individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The approach involves varying the amount and duration of light exposure to determine the optimal conditions for improving these outcomes. Patients will receive tailored light treatments in controlled environments, such as memory care facilities, to assess the effectiveness of this intervention over time. The study aims to clarify the relationship between light exposure and improvements in cognitive function and emotional well-being.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias who reside in controlled environments like nursing homes or memory care facilities.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage dementia or those living independently may not benefit from this research as the tailored light treatment is designed for those in more advanced stages of the disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new lighting solutions that significantly enhance the quality of life for patients with dementia by improving their sleep and reducing behavioral issues.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary results from ongoing studies using similar tailored light interventions have shown significant improvements in sleep and behavior among dementia patients, indicating a promising avenue for further exploration.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Figueiro, Mariana Gross — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Figueiro, Mariana Gross
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 below.