In Synch – Growing Older with the Rhythms of Life

Dr. Donald L. McEachron, Teaching Professor, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University Dr. Eugenia V. Ellis, Associate Professor, Architectural and Interior Design, Drexel University Human beings are the result of biological evolution rather than engineering design. One result of this reality is that humans are dependent on a variety of internal biological rhythms to control and coordinate both physiological and behavioral activities. Organisms, exposed to powerful geophysical cycles for countless millennia, have evolved specific mechanisms to adapt both internally and externally to daily and seasonal environmental cycles. These mechanisms depend on slowly changing light cycles marking the solar day and photoperiod changes associated with the seasons. The implementation of artificial lighting has changed the environment to which humans are exposed, disrupting biological rhythms and degrading physiological and behavioral function. The elderly are particularly vulnerable to such disruptions. To counter this, LED lighting technology can be implemented to mimic aspects of the solar day and help synchronize rhythms in the elderly, promoting temporal hygiene and thus, health and well-being. Biological rhythms are ubiquitous in living organisms having evolved to subserve a number of critical functions. Any complex, goal-oriented device, whether a computer, automobile or human being, must be able to schedule various activities so as to maximize o...
Source: Disruptive Women in Health Care - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Aging Source Type: blogs