The Effect of Light on Daily Life Activities and Sleep in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

Objective: The aim of this study is to identify the effect of the light on activities of daily living and sleep in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Materials and Methods: In this study, the actigraph devices, sleep and light application forms and Barthel Daily Life Activities forms were used. The study was conducted in an Alzheimer care center in Eskisehir. At first, all of the forms were filled and the wrist actigraphies were worned. The patients with actigraphies were monitored one week before the light application. During the second week, the light was applied to patients and the actigraphies were recorded. Actigraphies were recorded total of 4 weeks for each patient (average 30 minutes per day, around 3.00 pm, from 50 cm distance and 1000 lux over 7 days). The sleep and light application forms were filled. After than, actigraphies of patients were recorded over the third and fourth weeks. Results: There was a significant difference for the sleep durations (p<0.05) and the inactivity status (p=<0.001) in patients with Alzheimer's disease who were applied light, however no significant difference was found for the intensity of activities (p>0.05). Conclusion: It was determined that the light has no effect on the intensity of activities, though it extended the periods of inactivity and sleep.