Dimming with LED technology, Alzheimer's disease improves sleep and mood

The Lighting Research Center at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, USA, conducted an illumination experiment in which Alzheimer's patients in nursing homes had the opportunity to improve sleep and mood problems under natural light sources.

The researchers conducted experiments for at least four weeks in 43 of the three US states, 37 of which were longer than half a year. Depending on the habits of the nursing home, the researchers will provide a table with LED lighting or provide a single room lighting. Since the illumination stimulates the brain to secrete melatonin hormones, the body is regularized. After the experiment, more than half of the patients have improved in sleep disturbance and depression.

According to statistics, a total of 5.7 million people in the United States suffer from Alzheimer's disease. In addition to thinking and memory problems, patients also have symptoms such as sleep disturbance, irritability, anxiety, and confusion. Research team leader Mariana Figuerio said that one of the reasons why people with Alzheimer's disease lack self-care is due to lack of sleep and behavioral reasons.

Figuerio believes that if people continue to be exposed to darker light, it will lead to a decline in sleep quality. To improve the symptoms of Alzheimer's patients, you can start by improving the quality of lighting. Figuerio also said that with the advancement of LED technology, it is easier to control the color of light and light. Through the light source, the proportion of melatonin suppressed by the light source is increased during the daytime, and the night is lowered, so that the patient can regularly work day and night.