Effect of bright-light therapy on depression and anxiety of a patient with Alzheimer's disease combined with sleep disorder: A case report.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether bright light therapy could improve sleep quality and reduce psychobehavioral symptoms in elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Results Summary
After 4 weeks of bright light therapy, the patient showed notable improvement in sleep quality, reduced daytime sleep, increased nighttime sleep, and significant suppression of depression and anxiety.
Population
A 68-year-old woman with a 2-year history of Alzheimer's disease and associated sleep disturbances, depression, and anxiety.
Effective Dosage
30 minutes twice a day (8:30 am to 9:00 am and 16:30 pm to 17:00 pm).
Duration
4 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
bright light therapy | increase | sleep quality | a 68-year-old woman with a 2-year history of AD | - | notably improved | #1 |
bright light therapy | decrease | daytime sleep | a 68-year-old woman with a 2-year history of AD | - | marked decrease | #2 |
bright light therapy | increase | nighttime sleep | a 68-year-old woman with a 2-year history of AD | - | increase | #3 |
bright light therapy | decrease | nocturnal activity | a 68-year-old woman with a 2-year history of AD | - | disappearance | #4 |
bright light therapy | decrease | depression | a 68-year-old woman with a 2-year history of AD | - | suppressed significantly | #5 |
bright light therapy | decrease | anxiety | a 68-year-old woman with a 2-year history of AD | - | suppressed significantly | #6 |
BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common type of dementia due to neuronal impairment. In addition, psychobehavioral symptoms including severe sleep disorders, depression and anxiety can occur in most patients with AD. CASE SUMMARY: We report a case of a 68-year-old woman with a 2-year history of AD. She initially presented with memory loss, progressively more severe, leading to a depressive and anxious status. The clinical symptoms also included severe sleep disturbances. Considering the age and health state of the patient, a non-pharmacological treatment of bright light therapy was used to improve her sleep quality. The treatment was provided for 30 minutes twice a day, during 8:30 am to 9:00 am and 16:30 pm to 17:00 pm. After 4 weeks of therapy, the sleep quality notably improved, with a marked decrease in daytime sleep, increase in nighttime sleep, and disappearance of nocturnal activity. The depression and anxiety were also suppressed significantly. CONCLUSION: This case report suggested that bright light therapy can have a positive effect on sleep quality in elderly patients with AD and can be used as an effective and safe non-pharmacological treatment.