Bright Light Therapy for Frailty in Older Veterans

(Brite-VET Trial)

Overseen By Bruce R Troen, MD

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

Disqualifiers: No sleep disturbances, Morbid obesity, Severe comorbidities, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 weeks

44 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

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 Veterans.

Research Team

Bruce R. Troen, MD

Principal Investigator

Kansas City VA Medical Center, Kansas City, MO

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for older veterans who may be frail and have early-stage health issues. It's open to both men and women living in the community, but not those who are very overweight, without sleep problems, or with severe illnesses or cognitive impairments.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a community dweller, either male or female.

I am generally healthy, possibly with minor health issues.

Exclusion Criteria

Individuals without sleep disturbances (PSQI >5)

My BMI is over 40.

I have severe health problems or trouble thinking clearly.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive bright light therapy (BLT) to study impacts on frailty, cognition, and sleep

12 weeks

Weekly visits (in-person or virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• AYO Glasses

Trial Overview The study tests Bright Light Therapy using AYO Glasses to see if they can help reduce frailty and improve cognition and sleep quality in elderly veterans by resynchronizing their biological clocks.

Participant Groups

Group I: BLT intervention Active Control 1 Intervention

Bright light glasses that emit a more intense therapeutic blue light.

Group II: BLT control Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Bright light glasses that emit a non-therapeutic blue light.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Office of Research and Development

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,691

Recruited

3,759,000+