Adjunctive bright light in non-seasonal major depression: Results from patient-reported symptom and well-being scales

Klaus Martiny*, M. Lunde, M. Undén, H. Dam, P. Bech

*Corresponding author for this work
30 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we tested the efficacy of bright light therapy as an adjunct to antidepressant treatment (sertraline) in patients with non-seasonal major depression. Method: In a randomized double-blind controlled trial, 102 patients were treated for 5 weeks with either white bright light (10.000 lx, 1 h/day) or red dim light (50 lx, 30 min/day). All patients received sertraline in a dosage of 50 mg daily. The self-assessment scales used were the Major Depression Inventory (MDI), the Psychological General Well-Being Scale (PGWB) and the Symptom Check List (SCL-90R). Results: On all three questionnaires the score differences between baseline and endpoint were greatest in the bright light group. On the SCL-90R, the difference reached statistical significance. Results and effect sizes are compared with results from Danish national population studies applying PGWB and SCL-90R. Conclusion: The results advocate the use of bright light as an adjunct treatment of non-seasonal depression.

Original languageEnglish
Book seriesActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica
Volume111
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)453-459
Number of pages7
ISSN0001-690X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2005

Keywords

  • Cross-sectional studies
  • Light
  • Melancholia
  • Phototherapy
  • Randomized controlled trial
  • Seasonal depression
  • Self-assessment

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