New research suggests that light therapy may help to improve sleeping patterns, mood, and behavior in persons with dementia.

Published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine in December, the study tested whether a tailored daytime lighting intervention could reduce symptoms in persons diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias living in long-term care facilities. Preliminary findings showed that exposure to LED lighting during the day significantly improved sleeping patterns and reduced symptoms of depression and agitation related to dementia.

Principal investigator and lead study author Dr. Mariana Figueiro, who is the director of the Lighting Research Center at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, recently spoke to KCBS Radio about the study method and its findings.

To listen to the interview, click here. You can also read more about the study here.