A new meta-analysis published in Brain and Behavior suggests that phototherapy may be a potentially effective and inexpensive way to boost cognition in patients with dementia.
The study found that patients with dementia who were treated with phototherapy experienced significant improvement in cognitive function compared to those who received traditional treatments. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of improved depression, agitation or sleep problems.
Phototherapy is a noninvasive, safe, and affordable therapy that uses full-spectrum bright or wavelength-specific light to help treat dementia patients.
The investigators believe that phototherapy could be one of the most promising non-pharmacological interventions to improve the core symptoms of dementia.
The study examined the effect of phototherapy on cognitive function, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), and sleep in older adults. Researchers gathered data from multiple databases for randomized controlled trials investigating phototherapy interventions for patients with dementia.
The primary outcome assessed in the trial was cognitive function, which was evaluated via the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The secondary outcomes included BPSD, including agitation, anxiety, irritability, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. The study found that phototherapy significantly improved cognitive function in patients with dementia, based on the MMSE scores.
As drug treatments for dementia have limitations such as medical contraindications, limited efficacy, and adverse effects, non-pharmacological therapy has been increasingly regarded as an essential part of comprehensive dementia care. Phototherapy’s noninvasive, inexpensive, and safe nature makes it a promising non-pharmacological therapy for dementia.
Further studies and research may clarify the effects of phototherapy on cognitive function, behavior, and sleep in patients with dementia.