About this trial
Participants will randomly be placed into one of four groups and experience one of the four following conditions: (1) a placebo light that provides a 40 hertz (Hz) flicker (rhythmic light \[RL\]); (2) a placebo light with a random flicker (placebo condition for rhythmic light); (3) a light source that will stimulate the circadian system and provides a 40 Hz flicker (RL); or (4) a light source that will stimulate the circadian system and provides a random flicker (placebo condition for rhythmic light). Following a baseline week, participants will experience his/her assigned lighting condition for two hours in the morning for 8 weeks. After a 4-week washout period, a final round of assessments will be obtained. Study assessments (except for the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Montreal Cognitive Assessment) will be collected at the end of each week, for a total of 8 assessments.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Participants must be diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer's disease, as defined by a Montreal Cognitive Assessment score between 17 and 25;
Have sleep disturbance indicated by a score >5 on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
Participants must reside in their homes, independent living, or assisted living facilities
Disqualifiers
Participants taking sleep medication
Residence in a skilled nursing facility or long-term care
Obstructing cataracts, macular degeneration, and blindness
Severe sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome
Trial design
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Circadian-Effective Light
DeviceNarrowband blue light
Rhythmic Light
Device40 hertz (Hz) flicker
Placebo Light
DeviceNarrowband red light
Placebo Rhythmic Light
DeviceRandom flicker for placebo rhythmic effect
Treatment groups
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
Cognition using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment is a one-page, 30-point test that can be administered in 10 minutes. It assesses short-term memory, visuospatial abilities, executive functions, attention, concentration and working memory, language, and orientation to time and place. total score ranging from 0 to 30 units on a scale, with higher score indicating better cognitive global function.
Cognition using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment is a one-page, 30-point test that can be administered in 10 minutes. It assesses short-term memory, visuospatial abilities, executive functions, attention, concentration and working memory, language, and orientation to time and place. total score ranging from 0 to 30 units on a scale, with higher score indicating better cognitive global function.
Cognition using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment is a one-page, 30-point test that can be administered in 10 minutes. It assesses short-term memory, visuospatial abilities, executive functions, attention, concentration and working memory, language, and orientation to time and place. total score ranging from 0 to 30 units on a scale, with higher score indicating better cognitive global function.
Secondary outcomes
Cognition using a working memory task
Participants view a serial visual display of letters and math problems. They are asked to hold the letters in memory while simultaneously determining if the simple math problems are correct (e.g., 7+5=13). Math performance is measured in percent correct and verbal performance is assessed by calculating Accuracy and Reaction Time (RT).
Cognition using a working memory task
Participants view a serial visual display of letters and math problems. They are asked to hold the letters in memory while simultaneously determining if the simple math problems are correct (e.g., 7+5=13). Math performance is measured in percent correct and verbal performance is assessed by calculating Accuracy and Reaction Time (RT).
Cognition using a working memory task
Participants view a serial visual display of letters and math problems. They are asked to hold the letters in memory while simultaneously determining if the simple math problems are correct (e.g., 7+5=13). Math performance is measured in percent correct and verbal performance is assessed by calculating Accuracy and Reaction Time (RT).
Cognition using a word pair associates task
Participants are presented with 48 word-pairs in the evening. Recognition tests are assessed both immediately following the encoding session, and delayed during retrieval.
Sponsors and contacts
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