ArticleBMC geriatrics2026
Protocol for a randomised, double-blind trial of a chronotherapeutic mobile health (mHealth) behaviour change intervention to optimise light exposure among older adults aged ≥ 60 years in Singapore (LightSPAN).
Article in BMC geriatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundSuboptimal light exposure among older adults can exacerbate circadian disruption, sleep disturbances, mood disorders, cognitive decline, and frailty. In urbanised environments like Singapore, older adults are particularly vulnerable due to lifestyle and built environment constraints. The LightSPAN study evaluates a chronotherapeutic mobile health (mHealth) behaviour change intervention, delivered via the LightUP app, designed to optimise light exposure patterns and support healthy ageing.
methodsThe trial is a community-based, double-blind, parallel-group randomised controlled trial involving approximately 90 community-dwelling older adults (≥ 60 years) recruited through Active Ageing Centres in Singapore. Participants will be randomised using a secure web-based system with stratification by age, sex and recruitment site to receive either the active LightUP app with behaviour change features (goal setting, self-monitoring, personalised feedback) or a placebo version without these features. The primary outcome is daily time above 250 lx melanopic equivalent daylight illuminance (melanopic EDI) during daytime, measured with the ActLumus light logger across baseline, intervention and follow-up periods. Secondary outcomes include sleep parameters and circadian rest-activity rhythms, sleep quality, mood, cognition, frailty status, physical activity, body composition and vitamin D levels. The usability and acceptability of the LightUP app and wearable devices will also be assessed. Analyses will follow the intention-to-treat principle, supplemented by per-protocol analyses. Generalised linear mixed models will be used for repeated measures, with multiple imputation for missing data and exploratory Bayesian analyses. All analyses will be pre-registered on the Open Science Framework and de-identified datasets and code will be openly shared under a CC-BY license. DISCUSSION: Despite its central role in circadian regulation, light exposure has rarely been targeted in behavioural preventive interventions for older adults. This study evaluates a novel mHealth-enabled approach that empowers older adults to optimise their light exposure, extending the scope of non-pharmacological strategies for preventive medicine and health promotion.
trial registrationThis study was retrospectively registered at the ISRCTN – The UK’s Clinical Study Registry on 05 September 2025 (ID: ISRCTN12391932, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN12391932 ).
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.