Light Exposure Benefits Sleep

A recent study conducted at the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System suggested that nursing homes consider increasingambient light in multipurpose rooms where patients spend a lot of timeduring the day. The study indicated that patients' sleep innursing homes is fragmented, possibly because of decreased light exposure. To test their theory, the researchers examined the effectof light on sleep and circadian activity in rhythms in patients with probable or possible Alzheimer's disease. The study results indicatedthat more light exposure throughout the day and evening was likely to have a positive effect on sleep and on circadian rhythmsin patients with dementia.