Hostname: page-component-54dcc4c588-tfzs5 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-10-11T11:16:04.806Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Virtual darkness for agitation in dementia: The DARK.DEM randomized controlled trial

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 August 2025

L. I. I. Berge ,
T. E. G. Henriksen ,
S. V. Skagen ,
K. Nedreskår ,
V. Casadei ,
A. M. E. Mork ,
M. Patrascu ,
S. E. Fæø  and
E. Flo-Groeneboom
L. I. I. Berge*
Affiliation:
Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen NKS Olaviken Gerontopsychiatric Hospital, Askøy
T. E. G. Henriksen
Affiliation:
Helse Fonna, Valen Hospital Trust, Valen
S. V. Skagen
Affiliation:
Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen
K. Nedreskår
Affiliation:
Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Begen
V. Casadei
Affiliation:
Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen
A. M. E. Mork
Affiliation:
NKS Olaviken Gerontopsychiatric Hospital, Askøy
M. Patrascu
Affiliation:
Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen
S. E. Fæø
Affiliation:
Department of nursing, Vid Specialized University
E. Flo-Groeneboom
Affiliation:
Department of clinical psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Introduction

This poster will outline the rationale, objective, methods and preliminary results of the DARK.DEM trial.

Introduction

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) such as agitation, psychosis and depression are prevalent, often treatment resistant and associated with reduced cognition, level of functioning, quality of life and mortality. In dementia, circadian rhythms become less robust, which potentiates BPSD. As such, chronotheraphy, i.e., interventions targeting the circadian rhythm, is promising. Bright light therapy can improve sleep and depressive symptoms in residents with dementia in nursing homes (Hjetland GJ, BMC Geriatrics, 2021). Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGC) monitor the perception of day and night and are maximally sensitive to light with short wavelength. This discovery paved the way for virtual darkness therapy, that is, solely exposure to light deprived of blue wavelengths in the evening and night. Virtual darkness is effective in reducing manic symptoms in persons with bipolar disorders (Henriksen TEG, Bipolar Disorders, 2016), however the symptom relieving effect in people with dementia has not been explored.

Objectives

Develop and evaluate virtual darkness therapy to enhance treatment of agitation and other BPSDs in specialized dementia care.

Methods

The DARK.DEM RCT will include patients from September 2024 to December 2027 at NKS Olaviken Gerontopsychatric Hospital, Norway.

Inclusion criteria

dementia related agitation (CMAI ≥45), all etiologies and stages of dementia, age ≥50. Exclusion criteria: use of beta-blockers or melatonin, clinically significant pain (MOBID-2≥3), total blindness. A total of 72 patients will be randomized to treatment as usual or 14 days with add on treatment with blue light depleted environment from 19-08, provided with circadian lightning in secluded units. Primary outcome is 14 day change in CMAI, secondary outcomes include change in NPI-12, CSDD, QoL, ADL, use of psychotropic drugs and restraints, length of hospital stay.

Results

We will present preliminary results on number of participants included, baseline characteristics related to age, sex, type dementia, level of symptoms, intervention effects and feasibility.

Conclusions

The DARK.DEM trial will provide real word evidence for clinicians and stakeholders to determine if virtual darkness theraphy should be implemented for treatment of agitation in people with dementia.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared

Information

Type
Abstract
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 68 , Special Issue S1: Abstracts of the 33rd European Congress of Psychiatry , April 2025 , pp. S851
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of European Psychiatric Association
Submit a response

Comments

No Comments have been published for this article.