DESmart Lab

Sponsor: Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium

Team: Nina Sharp (PI), Jason Yeom (Co-I), Shawn Youngstedt (Co-I), Molly Maxfeild (Co-I), Ndeye Yague (RA), Mahya Fani (RA), Mohammed Alrahyani (RA)

Status: Active 

Summary

This study aims to investigate the effect of a dynamic lighting intervention on sleep quality, circadian activity rhythms, and mood in older adults with dementia living in long-term care facilities. The dynamic lighting intervention is designed to create an ambient illumination that provides a high level of circadian stimulation in the morning and circadian-neutral lighting in the evenings through delivering varying light intensity and spectrum. 

Methods

Study Design: Counterbalanced crossover 

Tools: Actigraphy, CMAI, CSDD, Wearable Light Tracker

Outcomes: Sleep duration, sleep efficiency, daily light exposure, mood, agitation

Successful study completion will provide initial guidance to the designers and administration of senior living facilities as to the lighting design recommendations of greatest benefits to the sleep, mood, and well-being of institutionalized older adults diagnosed with dementia. The outcomes of this study will be a quantitative solution (i.e., illuminance levels, CCT, EML), rather than a qualitative one (i.e., brighter, cool light), which could foster public awareness and encourage designers and developers to have a more inclusive approach towards lighting in the design of living spaces for older adults.