0729 Functional Consequences of Light Treatment in Healthy Older Adults living in Residential Facility: A Naturalistic Study

Abstract

Introduction: Aging is associated with sleep difficulties, including insomnia, lighter more fragmented sleep and advanced sleep phase. These sleep problems have been linked with fatigue, cognitive deficits, reduced quality of life (QoL), and increased health risks in the elderly. Controlled studies have shown behavioral therapies to be effective in treating multiple sleep problems. This study examined non-invasive light treatment administered in a residential group format to examine whether such a treatment paradigm is feasible and beneficial for sleep and daytime function. Methods: We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, 2x2 mixed study design. Seventeen healthy older adults [12F and 5M, 81.5(+/- 9.3) years, BMI 26.2(+/- 3.2)]. All participants underwent 5 consecutive days of 2 hours/day of "typical" light exposure (500-1000lux, 09.00- 11.00) in a designated common room. They were then randomized to treatment (T; n=12; 3000-5000lux) or control (C; n=5; "treatment as usual?: 500-1000lux) groups, and repeated the above protocol, with the respective light intensity. Participants wore actigraphs throughout the study and at the end of each exposure period, conducted a computerized neuropsychological battery and filled out questionnaires. Results: Sleep: The reduction in objective sleep onset latency (SOL) was greater in T vs. C (F(1,15)=6.0, p