Toileting at Night in Older Adults: Light to Maximize Balance, Minimize Insomnia

N/ACompletedNCT01350505

VA Office of Research and Development21 enrolled

Overview

To examine the change in balance that occurs in older individuals when exposed to different colored lights at night.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Falls Balance Insomnia Aging

Interventions

White light exposureBEHAVIORAL

\~200 lux of broad spectrum white light

Dim white light exposureBEHAVIORAL

\~28 lux of broad spectrum white light

Very dim white light exposureBEHAVIORAL

\<0.5 lux of broad spectrum white light

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 55 YearsMax age: 85 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 55-85 * Stable health * Normal color vision Exclusion Criteria: * Alcohol abuse * Depression * Sleep disorders * Smoking * Use of illegal drugs

Locations (1)

VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA

Palo Alto, California, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Balance

Balance was assessed during a 13-minute nocturnal light exposure (4 different conditions) and differences between the conditions were assessed. To determine goodness of balance while walking, the variability in stride length (i.e., variance in stride-to-stride length) was calculated in each of the conditions. Increased variability in stride length is associated with increased risk of falling.

Time frame: 13 minutes

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.