Efficacy of bright light therapy in bipolar depression.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bright light therapy (BLT) as an add-on treatment for bipolar depression (BD), comparing it to dim light (DL).
Results Summary
BLT showed significantly higher response (81% vs. 19%) and remission rates (44% vs. 12.5%) compared to DL, with statistically significant reductions in depression scores. Side effects were similar in both groups, with headache being the most common.
Population
Thirty-two outpatients with bipolar depression.
Effective Dosage
BLT (10000 lux) or DL (<500 lux) administered each morning for 30 minutes.
Duration
Two weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
bright light therapy (BLT) | decrease | seasonal affective disorder (SAD) | - | - | has been considered as an effective, well-tolerated treatment | #1 |
bright light therapy (BLT) | increase | response rates | BD outpatients | 81% | Response rates for BLT and DL were 81% and 19% | #2 |
bright light therapy (BLT) | increase | remission rates | BD outpatients | 44% | remission rates were 44% and 12.5% | #3 |
bright light therapy (BLT) | decrease | depression scores | BD outpatients | - | statistically significant reductions in depression scores | #4 |
bright light therapy (BLT) | no change | side effects | BD outpatients | - | Side effects were similar in both groups | #5 |
bright light therapy (BLT) | increase | headache | BD outpatients | most common | headache as the most common side effect | #6 |
bright light therapy (BLT) | decrease | bipolar depression (BD) | - | - | is an effective and safe add-on treatment | #7 |
For 30 years, bright light therapy (BLT) has been considered as an effective, well-tolerated treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Because of low response rates, new treatment strategies are needed for bipolar depression (BD), which resembles SAD in certain respects. Few placebo-controlled studies of BLT efficacy have been carried out for BD. Accordingly, this study evaluates the efficacy and safety of BLT as an add-on treatment for BD. Thirty-two BD outpatients were randomly assigned to BLT (10000lx) or dim light (DL, < 500lx). During a two-week period, light was administered each morning for 30min. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Montgomery-Ǻsberg Depression Rating Scale assessed clinical outcome, and the UKU Side Effects Rating Scale evaluated side effects. No significant difference was observed in baseline depression scores in the two groups. Response rates for BLT and DL were 81% and 19%, and remission rates were 44% and 12.5%, respectively. Analyses showed statistically significant reductions in depression scores for the BLT group compared with the DL group on all scales. Side effects were similar in both groups, with headache as the most common side effect. The results suggest that BLT is an effective and safe add-on treatment for BD.