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The biodynamic lamp for people with Alzheimer's disease serves to mimic the natural daylight cycle and create the supportive therapy as well as the functional lamp. It consists of 3 light sources which are synchronised with patient's day cycle and change their colour and intensity during the day. The biodynamic technology is able to omit the blue light from the light spectre which makes the usage of the light suitable even in the evening hours when it is not natural for humans to absorb the blue light.
The patients with Aleheimer disease have more often problems with the sleep disturbances due to various reasons. The right timing of the light change can have a possitive affect on their sleeping petterns, mood and overall well-being.
The light can be preset by relatives or caregivers using a special application to achieve the best outcomes possible. The patients are able to control the power on / off, in case of need it can remain lit. The controller is attachable to te wall.
The lamp is composed of a metal construction and a shade made of metallized glass, when turned off it transforms into a mirror and reflects the natural daylight.
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The application connectable via Bluetooth is used to program the change of light and to adapt to the patient's daytime regime.
After the start of the connection, the red backlight turns on to indicate the setting mode. At the beginning the user sets the wake up time and the application itself creates a curve of light during the day. Then it can be modified by programming the intensity or the color of the light at specific times of the day.
The application can contain some other patient’s data such as age, sleep hours etc. to achieve the most accurate light curve possible.
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Research | Alzheimer
Effects of bright light exposure on the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and the burden on caregivers in institutionalized elderly with cognitive decline.
(Midorikawa T, Komatsu T, Mitani T, Togo F.)
“These results suggest that exposure to white bright light during occupational tasks in the morning may have a benefit in improving BPSD, including sleep disturbances and the burden on caregivers... “
Effect of Bright Light Exposure on Depression and Agitation in Older Adults with Dementia.
(Onega LL, Pierce TW, Epperly L)
“ This study examined the effects of bright light exposure oAn three measures of depression and four mea-sures of agitation in persons with dementia residing in long-term care. Using a randomized controlled design, participants were randomly assigned to receive either bright light (n = 30) or low intensity light (n = 30) for eight weeks. Bright light exposure was associated with significant improvement in depression and agitation, while participants receiving low intensity light displayed higher levels of depression and agitation or no significant change. Findings support the use of bright light exposure to reduce depressi-on and agitation in this population... “
Effect of exposure to evening light on sleep initiation in the elderly: a longitudinal analysis for repeated measurements in home settings.
(Obayashi K, Saeki K, Iwamoto J, Okamoto N, Tomioka K, Nezu S, Ikada Y, Kurumatani N)
“In conclusion, exposure to evening light in home setting prolongs subsequent sleep-onset in the elderly. “
Bright Light Delights: Effects of Daily Light Exposure on Emotions, Restactivity Cycles, Sleep and Melatonin Secretion in Severely Demented Patients.
(Münch M, Schmieder M, Bieler K, Goldbach R, Fuhrmann T, Zumstein N, Vonmoos P, Scartezzini JL, Wirz-Justice A, Cajochen C)
“Our results provide evidence that a higher daily light exposure has beneficial effects on emotions and thus improved quality of life in a severely demented patient group. “
Light Therapy and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia: Past, Present, and Future
(Nicholas Hanforda , Mariana Figueiro)
“ Nevertheless, bright light exposure during the morning (typically >1000 lux at the cornea) has been shown to improve nighttime sleep, increase daytime wakefulness, reduce evening agitation behavior, and consolidate rest/activity patterns of people with ADRD. All-day, uncontrolled exposure to >1000 lux at the cornea of a white light (4100K) improved sleep efficiency and cognition in persons with ADRD as well as reduced symptoms of depression. Dawn- -dusk simulation—a lighting system that appropriately moderates light levels according to time of day-—has had some success in a 3-week trial study. Evening light exposure has also been shown to be
effective in consolidating rest/activity rhythms of those with ADRD and helping them to sleep better at night. Lower levels (30 lux at the cornea) of light sources that are more tuned to the spectral sensitivity of the circadian system, such as narrowband short-wavelength (blue) light administered for 2 hours in the early evening were also shown to be effective in increasing sleep efficiency in persons with ADRD. “
(Midorikawa T, Komatsu T, Mitani T, Togo F.)
“These results suggest that exposure to white bright light during occupational tasks in the morning may have a benefit in improving BPSD, including sleep disturbances and the burden on caregivers... “
Effect of Bright Light Exposure on Depression and Agitation in Older Adults with Dementia.
(Onega LL, Pierce TW, Epperly L)
“ This study examined the effects of bright light exposure oAn three measures of depression and four mea-sures of agitation in persons with dementia residing in long-term care. Using a randomized controlled design, participants were randomly assigned to receive either bright light (n = 30) or low intensity light (n = 30) for eight weeks. Bright light exposure was associated with significant improvement in depression and agitation, while participants receiving low intensity light displayed higher levels of depression and agitation or no significant change. Findings support the use of bright light exposure to reduce depressi-on and agitation in this population... “
Effect of exposure to evening light on sleep initiation in the elderly: a longitudinal analysis for repeated measurements in home settings.
(Obayashi K, Saeki K, Iwamoto J, Okamoto N, Tomioka K, Nezu S, Ikada Y, Kurumatani N)
“In conclusion, exposure to evening light in home setting prolongs subsequent sleep-onset in the elderly. “
Bright Light Delights: Effects of Daily Light Exposure on Emotions, Restactivity Cycles, Sleep and Melatonin Secretion in Severely Demented Patients.
(Münch M, Schmieder M, Bieler K, Goldbach R, Fuhrmann T, Zumstein N, Vonmoos P, Scartezzini JL, Wirz-Justice A, Cajochen C)
“Our results provide evidence that a higher daily light exposure has beneficial effects on emotions and thus improved quality of life in a severely demented patient group. “
Light Therapy and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia: Past, Present, and Future
(Nicholas Hanforda , Mariana Figueiro)
“ Nevertheless, bright light exposure during the morning (typically >1000 lux at the cornea) has been shown to improve nighttime sleep, increase daytime wakefulness, reduce evening agitation behavior, and consolidate rest/activity patterns of people with ADRD. All-day, uncontrolled exposure to >1000 lux at the cornea of a white light (4100K) improved sleep efficiency and cognition in persons with ADRD as well as reduced symptoms of depression. Dawn- -dusk simulation—a lighting system that appropriately moderates light levels according to time of day-—has had some success in a 3-week trial study. Evening light exposure has also been shown to be
effective in consolidating rest/activity rhythms of those with ADRD and helping them to sleep better at night. Lower levels (30 lux at the cornea) of light sources that are more tuned to the spectral sensitivity of the circadian system, such as narrowband short-wavelength (blue) light administered for 2 hours in the early evening were also shown to be effective in increasing sleep efficiency in persons with ADRD. “
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The project was elaborated during the study internship at Université de Strasbourg.