How can light be used to optimize sleep and health in older adults?

Elder, Greg and Flo-Groeneboom, Elisabeth (2022) How can light be used to optimize sleep and health in older adults? In: Circadian and Visual Neuroscience. Progress in Brain Research (273). Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 331-355. ISBN 9780323859455

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pbr.2022.04.002

Abstract

Globally, society is aging and changes to the timing and quality of sleep are often observed in older adults (aged ≥ 65 years). Good sleep quality, and sufficient sleep duration, is necessary to maintain good physical and psychological health, and strategies which optimize good sleep will be important in an aging society. Light has a very powerful effect upon sleep and circadian rhythms, and has specific advantages including the relative low cost, ease of administration and lack of interaction with other medications. For this reason, bright light treatment is a promising method for optimizing sleep and circadian rhythmicity in older adults. In this chapter, we examine whether bright light treatment could be used to optimize sleep, circadian rhythms, and health in older adults. We also outline a range of methodological considerations which need to be addressed to increase the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of light treatment in older adults.

Item Type: Book Section
Uncontrolled Keywords: ageing, sleep, health, circadian rhythms, light, bright light treatment
Subjects: C800 Psychology
Department: Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Psychology
Depositing User: John Coen
Date Deposited: 09 Jun 2022 09:51
Last Modified: 05 Sep 2022 11:30
URI: https://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/49271

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