Lighting Intervention Improves Sleep and Mood for Alzheimer’s Patients

July 6, 2018

A tailored lighting intervention in nursing homes can positively impact sleep, mood and behaviour for patients with Alzheimer’s disease, according to preliminary findings from a new study.

People with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias may experience sleep problems, wandering, and associated daytime irritability. This study tested whether a tailored daytime lighting intervention could improve sleep and behaviour in Alzheimer’s patients living in long-term care facilities.

Compared to baseline and to the inactive lighting condition, the lighting intervention significantly decreased sleep disturbances, depression and agitation. While all measures improved, the most significant improvement was seen in sleep quality.

“Here we show that if the stimulus (light dose) is carefully delivered and measured, it can have a strong impact on sleep, depression and agitation,” said principal investigator and lead author Mariana Figueiro, PhD, a professor and director at the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. “Depression was a secondary measure, and I was pleasantly surprised by the positive impact of the light treatment on depression scores.”

The study involved 43 subjects diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias who were exposed to an active and inactive tailored lighting intervention for successive 4-week periods, spaced by a 4-week washout period. The lighting intervention was added to spaces in which patients spent most of their waking hours and was energized from wake time until 6 p.m. Calibrated personal light meters monitored exposures. Measures of sleep disturbances (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), mood (Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia) and agitation (Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Index) were collected at baseline and during the last week of the intervention.

The research abstract was published recently in an online supplement of the journal Sleep (www.sleepmeeting.org/abstract-supplements) and was presented last month in Baltimore at SLEEP 2018, the 32nd annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS), which is a joint venture of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society.

Photo source: Pexels

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE is pleased to announce the appointment of Sterling Architectural Products Ltd. (Sterling Lights) as their new specification agent in Ontario. This partnership strengthens LEDVANCE’s presence in the region and reinforces their commitment to serving the professional lighting design and specification community with innovative, reliable lighting solutions. With decades of experience and a service-driven mindset,… Read More…

  • May 29, 2025 - Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka is pleased to announce that its Velia, Cirra, and Junction luminaires have each received a 2025 Red Dot Design Award for Product Design. It is the 11th consecutive year that Eureka products have been honored with this prestigious award, which is a testament to the company’s consistency and relentless drive to design exceptional luminaires.… Read More…


Design

  • LightForm: Estiluz – Versatile Solutions for Sophisticated Spaces

    LightForm: Estiluz – Versatile Solutions for Sophisticated Spaces

    For anyone seeking high-performance lighting that blends elegance with engineering, Estiluz offers an exceptional range of solutions. This Spanish brand, family-owned since 1969, creates lighting that balances form, function, and flexibility, making it ideal for both bold architectural statements and subtle design enhancements. At LightForm, they are proud to be the exclusive Canadian distributor of… Read More…

  • The Difference Between Accent, Ambient & Task Lighting: Ultimate Guide

    The Difference Between Accent, Ambient & Task Lighting: Ultimate Guide

    In interior design, lighting is not just about brightening the room. Sensitive lighting layout is the key in the whole aesthetic atmosphere. An outstanding lighting solution will not rely on one type of fixture. Rather, it is through the combination of different types of lighting. Accent, ambient, and task lighting are three basic types of… Read More…


New Products

  • STANPRO: WAY – LED Step Lights With or Without Motion Sensor & Photocell

    STANPRO: WAY – LED Step Lights With or Without Motion Sensor & Photocell

    The WAY step lights combine durability with a sleek and modern appearance. They are designed to create an inviting atmosphere by enhancing the aesthetics of a space and accentuating architectural features as well as key focal points. The WAY LED step lights are suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications, these luminaires can be integrated… Read More…

  • Cooper Lighting: HALO – RL Dual Zone Smart Wi-Fi Recessed LED Trims

    Cooper Lighting: HALO – RL Dual Zone Smart Wi-Fi Recessed LED Trims

    With HALO’s RL Dual Zone Smart Wi-Fi Recessed LED Trims you can effortlessly manage the downlight and outer ring independently, each offering full-color and tunable white options. Mix and match colors to create the perfect ambiance, whether you’re showcasing your team’s colors or setting the mood for a party. Illuminate your space like never before… Read More…