Innovate Dementia Acorn Project

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    An evaluation of the impact of intelligent lighting in an in-patient environment for people living with dementia.

  • IRAS ID

    134278

  • Contact name

    Jill Pendleton

  • Contact email

    jill.pendleton@merseycare.nhs.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Mersey Care NHS Trust

  • Research summary

    This study is part of a larger 3 year IVB Interreg funded NW Europe Innovation Project entitled Innovate Dementia. Mersey Care NHS Trust and Liverpool John Moores University are the UK partners. There is growing interest in new models of service provision and innovative approaches to care to address the issues associated with increasing numbers of people living with dementia. The Innovate Dementia project themes include exploring the use of intelligent lighting, exercise and nutrition for people living with dementia.

    This study will explore whether installing intelligent lighting on a dementia ward has outcomes for people on the ward in terms of improving sleep/wake cycle, mood and levels of wellbeing as measured through a range of baseline assessments compared to results from the same measures after installation of the new lighting. Intelligent lights will be fitted where people tend to spend much of their day. The lighting gives the right amount of daylight into the area, this is especially important on wards that have dark spaces like the corridors. Daylight has been reported to help normalise sleep patterns with lack of appropriate light contributing to low mood, agitated and unsettled behaviour and impact upon cognitive performance.

  • REC name

    North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    14/NW/1263

  • Date of REC Opinion

    3 Feb 2015

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion