Promoting Cognitive Resilience and Reducing Frailty in Older Veterans With Bright Light Therapy

Frailty is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by vulnerability to stressors that is intricately linked to cognitive impairment and mortality risk. Bright light therapy (BLT) reduces circadian disturbances by resynchronizing the hypothalamic biological clock via specific wavelengths of light. Human trials have demonstrated that BLT improves sleep quality and cognitive function in older adults. However, BLT has not been examined for use in older Veteran populations, particularly the impact on frailty. This randomized trial will assess the feasibility of employing BLT to study impacts on frailty, cognition, and sleep in older Veterans. Findings from this pilot will establish the power and effect size necessary for larger trials to support the use of BLT as readily available home-based treatment to improve healthspan of our Veterans.

Inclusion Criteria:Participants studied in this project will include 30 men and 5 women of any race who are community dwellersThe investigators seek to recruit relatively healthy individuals that may or may not exhibit early-stage co-morbiditiesExclusion Criteria:The investigators will exclude individuals without sleep disturbances (PSQI >5)Are morbidly obese (BMI > 40)Exhibit severe or advanced co-morbidities, or have cognitive impairment