Biomedical subjects

Arvid Skjerve

Publications and source records attributed to Arvid Skjerve.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Seven minute screen performance in a normal elderly sample.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The Seven Minute Screen (7MS) is a brief cognitive case-finding instrument for dementia. The test is composed of four subtests that assess performance with regard to orientation, memory, visuospatial ability and language. The objective of this study was to describe 7MS performance in a normal sample of people aged 65 years and older. METHOD: The subjects were 66 Norwegian community-dwellers who met selection criteria modified from the Mayo Older American Normative Studies standard. Mean age was 73.2 years, age range was 65-93 years, and mean Mini-Mental State Examination score was 29.06, range 26-30. RESULTS: Analysis of the 7MS subtests revealed relatively modest influence of age, education and gender on test performance. The composite 7MS performance scores were associated with education. Normal performance was expressed as means, standard deviations and percentile values for the age groups 65-74 years and 75 + years. CONCLUSION: 7MS performance is described for a normal sample. These data have the potential to increase the clinicians' ability to interpret 7MS test results.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Bright light treatment has limited effect in subjects over 55 years with mild early morning awakening.

31 subjects, age 55 yr. or older, suffering from mild early morning awakening were randomized to either a bright light (10,000 lux) or to a red dim light placebo condition (200 lux). Light exposure took place in the evening in the patients' homes, 60 to 30 min. before bedtime and lasted for 3 wk. The subjects kept a sleep diary for 2 wk. and wore an actigraph for 1 wk. both before treatment and at post-treatment. Of the eight sleep diary outcome variables, significant effects that could be attributed to the light treatment were only detected for time spent in bed after final morning awakening. None of the six actigraph outcome variables yielded any significant effect of the light therapy. Explanations for the limited therapeutic effects of bright light treatment obtained in the present study are discussed, such as the criteria defining early morning awakening, the selection procedure, problems with compliance, age of the sample, and the dose of light. The lack of an objective circadian marker in this study could represent a problem concerning the timing of the light exposure. Despite the limited success of bright light therapy in this study, bright light therapy should still be considered as a treatment option for early morning awakening.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Light therapy for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.

OBJECTIVES: To review literature concerning the efficacy, clinical practicability and safety of light treatment for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). METHOD: Data collection included computer literature searches (MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Cochrane) and checks of references, covering the period of January 1980-September 2003. Trials were searched for evidence for treatment efficacy and for their consideration of the treatment's clinical practicability and evidence of adverse effects. RESULTS: Results from randomised controlled trials (RCT) indicated some evidence of improvement in aspects of sleep disturbances and circadian activity rhythmicity. One RCT study indicated better response in patients with vascular dementia compared to Alzheimer's disease. By and large, non-RCT studies reported improvement in BPSD including sleep disturbances, agitation and activity rhythm disturbances. Few studies commented on the treatment's practicability and safety. CONCLUSION: Although there is some evidence for influence of light therapy on sleep and circadian activity rhythmicity, it is not possible to draw any conclusion about efficacy of light therapy for BPSD, or about practicability in clinical settings and safety. There are still too few well designed studies. Suggestions for further research are presented.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Improvement in behavioral symptoms and advance of activity acrophase after short-term bright light treatment in severe dementia.

Ten elderly subjects with severe dementia were given bright light (5000-8000 lux) for 45 min each morning for 4 weeks. Two rating scales of behavioral symptoms in dementia were used as outcome measures: Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) and Behavior Pathology In Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale (BEHAVE-AD), a scale for sleep-wake disturbances, and actigraphy to monitor activity rhythm. Behavioral symptoms improved with treatment. No changes in sleep-wake measures were found. There was an advance of the activity rhythm acrophase during treatment. These results suggest that short-time bright light improves behavioral symptoms and aspects of activity rhythm disturbances even in severely demented subjects.

Activity Cycles↗

PubMed2003

Bright light treatment improves sleep in institutionalised elderly--an open trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates the effects of bright light therapy among demented nursing home patients with sleep disturbances. DESIGN AND SETTING: 11 nursing home patients with actigraphically measured sleep efficiency below 85% took part in an open, non-randomised study where the subjects served as their own control. INTERVENTION: After two weeks of baseline measurements and two weeks of pretreatment measurements, patients received bright light exposure 2 h/day within the period 08:00-11:00 for two weeks. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Sleep-wake patterns during the 24-h day were evaluated by nursing staff ratings and wrist-worn motor activity devices (actigraphs). Sleep improved substantially with bright light exposure. Waking time within nocturnal sleep was reduced by nearly two h, and sleep efficiency improved from 73% to 86%. Corresponding improvements were found in nursing staff ratings. Effects were consistent across subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The findings add further evidence of the effectiveness of morning bright light exposure in the treatment of disturbed sleep among demented nursing home patients.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

[Valerian as a sleeping aid?].

BACKGROUND: Valeriana is a herbal over-the-counter drug, in Norway mainly used for insomnia. It is estimated that in Norway only, annual sales of valeriana amount to NOK 20 m. With this considerable consumption in mind, we wanted to review the scientific basis for valeriana as a sleep aid. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Through a literature search we identified 18 experimental studies examining the effects of valeriana on human sleep. RESULTS: The majority of studies reported positive effects of valeriana on subjective sleep parameters. Objective sleep measures yielded inconsistent results. All studies covered a short period of time. Few side effects of valeriana were reported. Only two studies compared valeriana to established hypnotics. INTERPRETATION: We conclude that valeriana may have some hypnotic effect. Long-term studies are clearly lacking, as well as studies comparing valeriana to well-established drug treatments for insomnia.

Humans↗