How light therapy can help treat dementia

Dementia can be one of the most difficult, uncomfortable and upsetting illnesses to deal with for both patients and clinicians. Research has suggested that light therapy can both slow down the progression of dementia by 5%, and also correct patients' circadian rhythm to ensure they are awake during the day and sleep through the night – solving one of the biggest challenges facing care workers. It also helps to significantly reduce depression in sufferers.

Research conducted by a Dutch team recruited 189 care home residents for their study. Their results showed that patients who were treated with light therapy saw the cognitive deterioration slowed by 5% compared to those without it, extending their life expectancy by 6 months. A UK specialist also said that this 5% reduction will allow patients to live in their own homes for months longer, reducing the strain on care homes.

The same study also showed that depressive symptoms fell by 19%. Dr Michael Hastings, from the Medical Research Council Laboratory for Molecular Biology in Cambridge described the study as “spectacular”. He also said “although 5% may not sound like a huge amount, it compares well with treatments such as Aricept designed to slow progression of the illness. Over the course of Alzheimer's, it could represent six months, and you have to remember that the light therapy is completely non-invasive”.

Why choose the Litebook?

The Litebook Elite makes administering light therapy much quicker and easier than ever before. It is just a fraction of the size of regular lamps, and because the peak wavelengths of the LEDs replicate those of sunlight, usage time is reduced to just 15-30 minutes. It has the advantage of not having to be looked directly into, meaning it can be used at an angle while eating breakfast, reading the newspaper or working at a desk. All of this makes it easier for patients to get the therapy they need, leading to increased compliance.

In terms of ongoing costs, the Litebook works out at considerably cheaper than conventional lamps over its lifespan. Ordinary lamps use bulbs that last for approximately 500 hours, whereas the Litebook's LEDs should last for 100,000 hours – or 11 years of constant use. The Litebook also uses 10% of the amount of electricity of regular lamps. The Litebook also features a 2-year warranty, so you can rest assured that the Litebook is not only built to work, but built to last too. Here at Intus we will be on hand to offer any advise, help or support you need to provide your customers with the best support possible.

What the Litebook means for your clinic

• Shorter therapy times
• Much convenient size
• No UV radiation
• Greatly reduced running costs
• Increased compliance
• Reduced appointment frequency

If you need any further information about the Litebook Elite or light therapy in general, you can find more information here on our website, or call us on 0844 504 9999 to discuss how the Litebook can fit in with and enhance your clinic's services. Many other clinics have already been replacing their standard light therapy units with Litebooks, so click below to join the transition.