Dose response to adjunctive light therapy in citalopram-treated patients with post-stroke depression: A randomised, double-blind pilot study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Dose response to adjunctive light therapy in citalopram-treated patients with post-stroke depression

T2 - A randomised, double-blind pilot study

AU - Søndergaard, M. P.

AU - Jarden, J. O.

AU - Martiny, K.

AU - Andersen, G.

AU - Bech, P.

PY - 2006/6/1

Y1 - 2006/6/1

N2 - Background: Post-stroke depression affects the outcome of stroke rehabilitation and is observed in approximately 30% of all stroke patients. We investigated whetherthe addition of light treatment to medical antidepressants influences the course of depression as measured by the Hamilton Depression Scale. Methods: The effect of a combination of light therapy and citalopram in stroke victims receiving citalopram was examined by use of two different doses of light therapy under double-blind conditions. Altogether, 63 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 74.9 years. Results: After 4 weeks of therapy, the 6-item subscale of the Hamilton Depression Scale showed a statistically significantly larger improvement in patients receiving high-intensity light treatment compared to those treated with medium-intensity light (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrates a dose response effect of light used as an adjunct therapy to antidepressants in post-stroke patients with major depression.

AB - Background: Post-stroke depression affects the outcome of stroke rehabilitation and is observed in approximately 30% of all stroke patients. We investigated whetherthe addition of light treatment to medical antidepressants influences the course of depression as measured by the Hamilton Depression Scale. Methods: The effect of a combination of light therapy and citalopram in stroke victims receiving citalopram was examined by use of two different doses of light therapy under double-blind conditions. Altogether, 63 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 74.9 years. Results: After 4 weeks of therapy, the 6-item subscale of the Hamilton Depression Scale showed a statistically significantly larger improvement in patients receiving high-intensity light treatment compared to those treated with medium-intensity light (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrates a dose response effect of light used as an adjunct therapy to antidepressants in post-stroke patients with major depression.

KW - Citalopram

KW - Light therapy

KW - Post-stroke depression

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33745319041&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1159/000092895

DO - 10.1159/000092895

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 16785774

AN - SCOPUS:33745319041

SN - 0033-3190

VL - 75

SP - 244

EP - 248

JO - Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics

JF - Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics

IS - 4

ER -