Cited by 20Dementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchCircadian rhythm and melatoninSleep and related disorders

The effects of light therapy on sleep, agitation and depression in people with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

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Fong, Kenneth NK, Ge, Xiangyang, Ting, KH, Wei, Minchen, Cheung, Hilda·2023·American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias®

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effects of light therapy on the alleviation of sleep disturbances, agitation and depression in people with dementia. Methods A search was performed in PubMed, Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, for studies published between 2000 and 2021. Results A total of 4315 articles were screened. Sixteen articles were eligible for this review and 11 randomized controlled studies were included in the meta-analysis. Light therapy had a significant effect on reducing the number of awakenings in sleep ( n = 4; 95% CI = −.56, −.05; I 2 = 0%; SMD = −.31) but was not significant in reducing the wake after sleep onset ( n = 3; 95% CI = −.14, .59; I 2 = 0%; SMD = .23), agitation ( n = 4; 95% CI = −1.02, .45; I 2 = 87%; SMD = −.28) and depression ( n = 6; 95% CI = −.80, .40, I 2 = 85%; SMD = −.20). Conclusion Light therapy appeared to be more effective in terms of alleviating sleep disturbances, rather than reducing agitation and depression, but its long-term effects remain unclear.

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  1. [32]Figueiro MG Rea MS. LEDs: Improving the sleep quality of older adults. Leon, Spain. Proceedings of the CIE Midterm Meeting and International Lighting Congress. 2005.
  2. [33]Figueiro MG Rea MS Eggleston G. Light therapy and Alzheimer’s disease. Sleep Rev. 2003; 4(1): 24.
  3. [41]The Cochrane Collaboration. Review Manager (RevMan). Version 5.3 [software]. The Nordic Cochrane Centre; 2014.

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Authors
Fong, K. N., Ge, X., Ting, K., Wei, M., & Cheung, H.
Affiliations
Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HK)
Corresponding author
Fong, Kenneth NK
Venue
American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias®
Published
2023-03-16
Volume
38
Pages
15333175231160682-15333175231160682
ISSN
  • 0888-4897 (ISSN-L)
  • 1533-3175
  • 1938-2731
OpenAlex
W4327651337
Cited by
20
References
56
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 3
FWCI
0.91
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • American Journal of Alzheimer s Disease & Other Dementias® (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PolyU Institutional Research Archive (Hong Kong Polytechnic University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Innovation and Technology Fund – Mid-stream Research Programme for Universities, Innovation and Technology Commission, Hong Kong SAR (MRP/011/17X)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
Keywords
phototherapy, dementia, sleep disorders, agitation, depression, wake after sleep onset, nocturnal awakenings, circadian rhythm
MeSH terms
Dementia, Depression, Humans, Phototherapy, Sleep, Sleep Wake Disorders, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

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