Light therapy can improve the sleep quality of individuals in nursing homes, researchers found.
Led by Mingjiao Zhang, of Chengdu Medical College in the People’s Republic of China, researchers conducted a systematic review of several databases to identify studies that evaluated the use of “light therapy to improve sleep quality and nighttime sleep in older residents in long-term care settings.” The final analysis included 10 nonrandomized pilot studies and 11 randomized controlled trials for a total sample of 748.
Researchers noted improved sleep after
- •Short-term exposure to high light levels (30 to 60 minutes at 10,000 lux or higher).
- •Relatively long exposure to moderate light levels (one to two hours at 2,500 to 10,000 lux).
- •Long-term exposure to low light levels (one to four hours or a full day at 2,500 lux or lower).
The researchers recommend that long-term care facilities be designed so that individuals receive more natural light during daily activities and that they incorporate dynamic lighting systems to improve individuals’ circadian rhythms.
Source: Zhang M, et al. Light Therapy to Improve Sleep Quality in Older Adults Living in Residential Long-Term Care: A Systematic Review [published online: November 18, 2022]. J Am Med Dir Assoc. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2022.10.008.
Jeffrey S. Eisenberg, a freelance writer in Philadelphia, compiled this report.
