RecruitingNot Applicable

Virtual Darkness Theraphy for Agitation in Dementia

Norway72 participantsStarted 2024-09-30

Plain-language summary

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) such as anxiety, depression, psychosis and agitation, are prevalent, often treatment resistant, resource demanding and significantly deteriorates cognition, independency, quality of life and mortality in people with dementia. The DARK.DEM trial aims at developing new diagnostics and treatment for BPSD in both specialized and municipal dementia care. The investigators will develop digital phenotyping by determining the convergent validity of data from a smartwatch against established psychometric scales for BPSD for patients admitted to NKS Olaviken gerontopsychiatric hospital. The investigators will conduct an open label single blinded randomized controlled trial to determine the effectiveness, feasibility and safety of virtual darkness as adjunctive treatment of agitation in patients with dementia admitted to the hospital. The investigators will randomize minimum 72 patients to treatment as usual (psychotropic drugs, psychological and environmental interventions) or 14 days of virtual darkness therapy, that is, exposure to light deprived of blue wavelengths from 19.00-08.00, provided in a secluded patient unit with circadian lightening. Primary outcome is 14 days change in agitation assessed with Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory. Secondary outcomes are change in diurnal variation of motor activity assessed with a smartwatch and sleep monitor, other BPSD, activities of daily living, quality of life, use of psychotropic drugs, use of restraints and coercion, length of hospital stay and resource utilization. The investigators will conduct focus group interviews with managers and staff in nursing homes to explore barriers, enablers and adaptions to support implementation of the new methods in municipal dementia care

Who can participate

Age range

50 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients admitted to NKS Olaviken gerontopsychiatric hospital * Diagnosis of dementia, all stages and etiologies, * ≥50 years * both genders * Clinically significant agitation (CMAI ≥45) Exclusion Criteria: * Total blindness/diminished bilateral red reflex. * Use of melatonin * Clinically significant pain (MOBID-2≥3)

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI)

Timeframe: Change from baseline to day 14

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06451952

SponsorUniversity of Bergen

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-12-31

Contact for this trial

Line Iden Berge, M.D., PhD.

+4798857354 line.berge@uib.no

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Agitation in Dementia, Including Alzheimer's Disease trials