Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton clinicians Kathleen Emerson, Linda Quinlin, Mary Murphy,  along with Miami Valley Hospital clinician Patricia O’Malley, and Kathleen Hayes, Hospice and Palliative Care Coordinator with the Dayton VA Hospital, are the authors of an article to be published in the June issue of the Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing.

“Evaluation of a Low Light Intervention- Starlight Therapy –for Agitation, Anxiety, Restlessness, Sleep Disturbances, Dyspnea and Pain at End of Life” details study outcomes in the use of innovative light therapy in the treatment of patients.

Research into the impact of starlight therapy was initiated at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton over seven years ago when laser star projectors were first introduced to patient care. The projection of starlight onto the ceiling and walls of patient rooms proved to be a valuable therapy in easing anxiety, agitation, sleep disturbances, dyspnea, pain and restlessness among patients. Research also demonstrated a reduction in the need for pharmaceutical interventions for patients with a positive response to the light therapy approach.

 Pictured (L to R) are Mary Murphy, MS,RN,CNS, AOCN, ACHPN,  Linda Quinlin, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, NP-C, ACHPN and Kathleen Emerson, LPN, CHPLN