Page 76 - JCBP-3-4

Journal of Clinical and
Basic Psychosomatics Intervention through natural/digital art

in the inactivation of blue visual pigments. A review of estimated that 613,000 people, or 1.45% of the population
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lighting design for treating aging populations highlighted aged 40 – 64, were experiencing social withdrawal. 32
the impact of lighting on psychophysiological aspects, It is well-established that the risk of depression
particularly its role in the consolidation of the sleep-wake increases with age, and two characteristics related to
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circadian cycle, which is strongly related to psychiatric the mental functions of senior citizens are often cited as
well-being. 24,25 In particular, blue-enriched light has been contributing factors. First, in the normal aging process,
shown to benefit older dementia patients. Furthermore, while cognitive function generally slows down, the ability
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a number of studies on depression therapy have reported to make analogies and process abstract topics tends to
success with high-intensity, blue-enriched light for remain intact. Aging adults also tend to make decisions
depressed seniors. These studies concluded that lighting based on “impressions” and “intuitions” rather than
systems in patients’ homes could be modified to serve as logical thinking. Theories of adult cognitive development
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mood enhancers for depressed elderly patients/ On the typically distinguish between fluid abilities, which
other hand, blue light-blocking treatment may be beneficial require effortful processing at the time of assessment, and
in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Another study on the crystallized abilities, which involve retrieving and applying
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efficacy of blue-light therapy conducted a meta-analysis of knowledge. While fluid abilities, such as quick reactions,
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randomized controlled trials examining the efficacy and memorization, and problem-solving, tend to decline,
safety of blue-light therapy for both seasonal and non- crystallized abilities like knowledge and principles are
seasonal major depressive disorder. This analysis found no maintained. For older individuals, it may be easier and
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evidence of the efficacy of blue light compared to inactive more effective to use stories with episodes to help them
conditions in all age groups. One reason for the lack understand, rather than providing logical explanations.
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of convergence in the results of these studies may be the This tendency may explain why older people, who decorate
extreme difficulty in establishing a method for diagnosing their gardens with multiple illumination motifs, have an
mental illnesses, such as depression and identifying the affinity for illumination art.
causes of these conditions.
Second, if communication fluency decreases in seniors,
The key difference between these light therapies and they may tend to stray from the topic or digress. In
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our lighting system is that our system combines artistic such cases, it may be helpful to listen to them patiently,
and entertaining qualities while also integrating the natural gently correct their speech, and focus on the main points,
environment. It features programming control of complex using emotional expressions with which they are familiar
and diverse light elements. As a result, we successfully with to help them relax. This approach may prevent
provided 97 senior home residents with a 2-month light stress and promote comfort. It is highly likely that the
therapy program, as shown in Figure 7, and achieved a illumination in the garden in this study contributed to
high level of satisfaction. Furthermore, we can assert that stress relief for not only the senior residents but also the
the program motivated the residents to engage with the staff and visitors. Regarding individuals around seniors,
outside world. In our previous research on indoor light several characteristics are observed in elderly people
entertainment in senior citizen homes, we used projection with depression, a common background condition for
mapping to create images of natural environments such social withdrawal. It is said that only 1/3 – 1/4 of elderly
as plants. We found that this approach improved the individuals show typical symptoms of depression that are
motivation of senior residents, regardless of their cognitive easy to diagnose. Because some symptoms are particularly
level. Previous research has also explored mechanisms pronounced while others, such as low mood or depressive
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other than lighting that may improve senior mental health. thoughts, may not be as noticeable, depression is often
For instance, the effects of lipophilic redox reactions of difficult to recognize in seniors. As a result, diagnoses
biomolecules. have been studied, which are thought to are often missed. However, a decrease in motivation and
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interact with visual reduction-oxidation molecules such as concentration, along with psychomotor retardation, are
rhodopsin, a complex composed of retinal and opsin. 31 more prominent. Depression should be suspected in elderly
This study also addresses the issue of social withdrawal individuals who are in poor health and show decreased
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among elderly individuals, which our findings suggest mood, cognitive dysfunction, and motivation. It is also
could be improved. According to the “KHJ Survey reported that one in five patients who visit outpatient clinics
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Report” by the Japan National Federation of Families with for dementia are diagnosed with depressive disorders.
Hikikomori, in 2010, around 10% of people aged 40 and Furthermore, as an awareness of the issues we aim to
over were affected, but by 2021, this number had risen to expand on in this research, another characteristic is that
over 30%. In addition, a 2018 survey by the Cabinet Office many of the patients experience psychosomatic complaints.

Volume 3 Issue 4 (2025) 70 doi: 10.36922/jcbp.5740