Paranoid delusions and hallucinations and bright light therapy in Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Looking at all the presented evidence, BLT seems to be a useful treatment supplement in DAT patients, when suffering from delusions or agitation. On the other hand, caution should be used when using BLT in demented patients if agitation develops or increases during BLT.

Effects of Light Treatment on Sleep, Cognition, Mood, and Behavior in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review

“…Their findings support the use of bright light exposure to reduce depression and agitation in dementia patients. Other authors showed that BLT is beneficial in some patients with dementia by decreasing depressive or agitation symptoms but may worsen symptoms in others [59, 60]. The negative effects for some participants and all these conflicting findings suggest that high-intensity ambient lighting should be tailored on an individual basis taking into account different variables.…”

Improvement in behavioral symptoms and advance of activity acrophase after short‐term bright light treatment in severe dementia

“…However, since one patient in the present study developed a marked increase in agitation and confusion during the second week of treatment it cannot be ruled out that this might have been induced by BLT. Another study also reported possible side‐effects, with development of paranoid delusions and hallucinations during BLT in a patient with Alzheimer's disease 20 …”

Light therapy for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia

“…Using an ABABA design, Lovell et al (1995) reported a reduction in evening agitation during treatment periods compared to non-treatment periods. In a case-series results indicated a slight reduction in delusions as measured by a confusion rating scale in three subjects with AD (Schindler et al, 2002). Improvement in the stability of the circadian activity rhythm was found in two studies (Satlin et al, 1992;Van Someren et al, 1997) although no consistent effects were found in the study of Colenda et al (1997).…”

“…Haffmans et al (2001) reported that LT treatment was stopped for two participants because of aggressive behavior or severe anxiety, however, these symptoms were not commented on as adverse effects. Increased agitation and development of delusional symptoms after two weeks of LT treatment was reported by Schindler et al (2002). These behavioural changes were described as side effects and the symptoms stopped after discontinuation of the treatment.…”