Application of light therapy in older adults with cognitive impairment: A systematic review

Abstract

This systematic review aims to assess the efficacy of light therapy on behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), cognition, functional status, and quality of life in older adults with cognitive impairment; and secondarily, to identify the optimal characteristics of light therapy to establish an adequate protocol for its clinical application. We searched Web of Science and Medline databases through December 2019, resulting in 36 included articles: 3 evaluated the effects on BPSD, 25 on sleep, 12 on agitation, 10 on mood, 4 on neuropsychiatric symptoms, 4 on cognition, 2 on quality of life and 2 on functional status. Literature has shown potential evidence for positive effects of light therapy on managing sleep, behavioural and mood disturbances in people with cognitive impairment, but a limited effect on cognition, quality of life and functional status. This review provides guidelines for intervention protocols with light therapy in older people with cognitive impairment.

Keywords: Cognitive impairment; Dementia; Light therapy; Older adults.