(Press-News.org) Light therapy leads to significant improvements in sleep and psycho-behavioral symptoms for patients with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study published this week in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Qinghui Meng of Weifang Medical University, China, and colleagues.
The cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease is often accompanied by sleep disturbances and psycho-behavioral symptoms including apathetic and depressive behavior, agitation and aggression. Photobiomodulation is a non-pharmacological therapy that uses light energy to stimulate the suprachiasmic nucleus (SCN), a sleep modulator in the brain. Despite light therapy receiving increased attention as a potential intervention for Alzheimer’s, a systematic evaluation of its efficacy and safety has been unavailable.
In the new study, researchers searched multiple research databases to identify all randomized controlled trials related to light therapy intervention for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Fifteen high-quality trials with available methods and relevant outcomes were selected for further analysis. The included trials were written in English, published between 2005 and 2022, and performed in seven countries. They included a combined 598 patients.
The meta-analysis of all fifteen trials found that light therapy significantly improved sleep efficiency, increased interdaily stability (a measure of the strength of circadian rhythms), and reduced intradaily variability (a measure of how frequently someone transitions between rest and activity during the day). In patients with Alzheimer’s disease, light therapy also alleviated depression and reduced patient agitation and caregiver burden.
Given the limited sample sizes in studies included in this meta-analysis, the authors advocate for larger future studies, which could also explore if bright light exposure could cause any adverse behavior in patients. They conclude that light therapy is a promising treatment option for some symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
The authors add: “Light therapy improves sleep and psycho-behavioral symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease and has relatively few side effects, suggesting that it may be a promising treatment option for patients with Alzheimer's disease.”
#####
In your coverage please use this URL to provide access to the freely available article in PLOS ONE: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0293977
Citation: Zang L, Liu X, Li Y, Liu J, Lu Q, Zhang Y, et al. (2023) The effect of light therapy on sleep disorders and psychobehavioral symptoms in patients with Alzheimer’s disease: A meta-analysis. PLoS ONE 18(12): e0293977. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0293977
Author Countries: China
Funding: This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2020MH128).
END
Light therapy may improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
New meta-analysis included fifteen randomized controlled trials involving 598 patients with Alzheimer’s disease and found improvements in sleep and psycho-behavioral symptoms
2023-12-06
[Attachments] See images for this press release:
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
More than 4 hours of daily smartphone use associated with health risks for adolescents
2023-12-06
In a new study of more than 50,000 Korean adolescents, those who used a smartphone for more than 4 hours per day had higher rates of adverse mental health and substance use. Jin-Hwa Moon and Jong Ho Cha of Hanyang University Medical Center, Korea, and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on December 6, 2023.
Prior research has shown that smartphone use among adolescents has increased in recent years, and that this usage may be associated with higher risk of adverse health—such as psychiatric disorders, sleep issues, eye-related problems, and musculoskeletal disorders. However, growing evidence suggests that at least some daily internet usage ...
Jays, but not crows, use delayed gratification flexibly to avoid missing out
2023-12-06
While Eurasian jays and New Caledonian crows can practice delayed gratification by waiting for access to higher-quality food, jays adjust this self-control behavior depending on the social context. The study by Dr. Rachael Miller at Anglia Ruskin University, UK, James Davies at the University of Cambridge, UK, and colleagues is publishing December 6 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.
Self-control helps animals to plan and achieve long-term goals. For example, the ability to resist a small, immediate reward and ...
A Southeast Asian sea cucumber species features bioactive compounds, including terpenoid glycosides and saponins which have reported anti-cancer benefits
2023-12-06
A Southeast Asian sea cucumber species features bioactive compounds, including terpenoid glycosides and saponins which have reported anti-cancer benefits
###
Article URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0294535
Article Title: Comprehensive metabolomics of Philippine Stichopus cf. horrens reveals diverse classes of valuable small molecules for biomedical applications
Author Countries: Philippines
Funding: ETY received funding for the study from the Department ...
Meat-free burgers could be made tastier, juicier and more digestible by protein-glutaminase treatment
2023-12-06
Meat-free burgers could be made tastier, juicier and more digestible by protein-glutaminase treatment
###
Article URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0294637
Article Title: Protein-glutaminase improves water-/oil-holding capacity and beany off-flavor profiles of plant-based meat analogs
Author Countries: Japan
Funding: The authors received no specific funding for this work. END ...
Fear of falls is associated with less physical activity for people in their nineties, who averaged around 3,000 daily steps per activity tracker data
2023-12-06
Fear of falls is associated with less physical activity for people in their nineties, who averaged around 3,000 daily steps per activity tracker data
###
Article URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0294817
Article Title: Accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary behavior in nonagenarians: Associations with self-reported physical activity, anthropometric, sociodemographic, health and cognitive characteristics
Author Countries: Finland
Funding: The NONAGINTA – Memory and Health in 90-year-olds – study was supported by the ...
Calcium channel blockers effective for pregnant patient with vasospastic angina
2023-12-06
A woman with hopes to conceive was diagnosed with severe vasospastic angina (VSA); however, she was able to carry a healthy baby to full term without angina attacks after starting treatment of a calcium channel blocker, according to a case published in a special Cardio-Obstetrics issue of JACC: Case Reports.
Vasospastic angina is an abnormality of the coronary artery. It presents as chest pain that is caused by coronary artery spasm. It can result in recurrent episodes of angina, including at rest, and can progress into coronary microvascular ...
Jays jump in while crows hold out for the treat
2023-12-06
New research has found that two similar species of birds – both capable of displaying self-control through delayed gratification – behave very differently around their favourite food when they have company.
Published in the journal PLOS ONE, the study was led by researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Cambridge, UK, and the University of Cambridge, who compared the behaviour of two species of corvids: Eurasian jays (Garrulus glandarius) and New Caledonian crows (Corvus moneduloides).
Although both are highly intelligent birds ...
Zinc shows promise as surprising emerging treatment for vaginal yeast infections
2023-12-06
New research could one day pave the way for the treatment of vaginal yeast infections, by shedding new light on how microbes in the body absorb zinc.
Around three quarters of women develop vaginal yeast infections at least once in their lifetime, and approximately 140 million women globally suffer from recurrent infections. Recurrent yeast infections can have an enormous impact of quality of life. Existing anti-fungal treatments are not always effective and resistance against these treatments is developing.
Thrush is caused by a yeast called Candida. There are a number of species of Candida, but the one that causes most ...
Fungus-fighting protein could help overcome severe autoimmune disease and cancer
2023-12-06
A protein in the immune system programmed to protect the body from fungal infections is also responsible for exacerbating the severity of certain autoimmune diseases such as irritable bowel disease (IBS), type 1 diabetes, eczema and other chronic disorders, new research from The Australian National University (ANU) has found.
The discovery could pave the way for new and more effective drugs, without the nasty side effects of existing treatments. In addition to helping to manage severe autoimmune conditions, the breakthrough could also help treat all types of cancer.
The scientists have discovered ...
UMass Amherst researchers develop grassroots framework for managing environmental commons
2023-12-06
December 6, 2023
UMass Amherst Researchers Develop Grassroots Framework for Managing Environmental Commons
New tool relies on a foundation of local traditional ecological and social knowledge for more just, sustainable and resilient conservation strategy
AMHERST, Mass. – A team of sustainability scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently announced in the journal PLOS ONE that they have developed a community-based framework, founded on extensive local and traditional knowledge, to help assess and respond to the kinds of ecological threats ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
University of Cincinnati experts present research at annual hematology event
ASH 2025: Antibody therapy eradicates traces of multiple myeloma in preliminary trial
ASH 2025: AI uncovers how DNA architecture failures trigger blood cancer
ASH 2025: New study shows that patients can safely receive stem cell transplants from mismatched, unrelated donors
Protective regimen allows successful stem cell transplant even without close genetic match between donor and recipient
Continuous and fixed-duration treatments result in similar outcomes for CLL
Measurable residual disease shows strong potential as an early indicator of survival in patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Chemotherapy and radiation are comparable as pre-transplant conditioning for patients with b-acute lymphoblastic leukemia who have no measurable residual disease
Roughly one-third of families with children being treated for leukemia struggle to pay living expenses
Quality improvement project results in increased screening and treatment for iron deficiency in pregnancy
IV iron improves survival, increases hemoglobin in hospitalized patients with iron-deficiency anemia and an acute infection
Black patients with acute myeloid leukemia are younger at diagnosis and experience poorer survival outcomes than White patients
Emergency departments fall short on delivering timely treatment for sickle cell pain
Study shows no clear evidence of harm from hydroxyurea use during pregnancy
Long-term outlook is positive for most after hematopoietic cell transplant for sickle cell disease
Study offers real-world data on commercial implementation of gene therapies for sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia
Early results suggest exa-cel gene therapy works well in children
NTIDE: Disability employment holds steady after data hiatus
Social lives of viruses affect antiviral resistance
Dose of psilocybin, dash of rabies point to treatment for depression
Helping health care providers navigate social, political, and legal barriers to patient care
Barrow Neurological Institute, University of Calgary study urges “major change” to migraine treatment in Emergency Departments
Using smartphones to improve disaster search and rescue
Robust new photocatalyst paves the way for cleaner hydrogen peroxide production and greener chemical manufacturing
Ultrafast material captures toxic PFAS at record speed and capacity
Plant phenolic acids supercharge old antibiotics against multidrug resistant E. coli
UNC-Chapel Hill study shows AI can dramatically speed up digitizing natural history collections
OYE Therapeutics closes $5M convertible note round, advancing toward clinical development
Membrane ‘neighborhood’ helps transporter protein regulate cell signaling
Naval aviator turned NPS doctoral student earns national recognition for applied quantum research
[Press-News.org] Light therapy may improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s diseaseNew meta-analysis included fifteen randomized controlled trials involving 598 patients with Alzheimer’s disease and found improvements in sleep and psycho-behavioral symptoms