Effects of Light Therapy on Mood and Insulin Sensitivity in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Depression: Results From a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether light therapy improves mood and insulin sensitivity in patients with depression and type 2 diabetes.
Results Summary
Light therapy was not superior to placebo in reducing depressive symptoms or improving insulin sensitivity in the overall study population, but secondary analyses suggested potential benefits for highly insulin-resistant individuals.
Population
Patients with depression and type 2 diabetes (n=83).
Effective Dosage
10,000 lux daily.
Duration
4 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
light therapy | no change | depressive symptoms | patients with depression and type 2 diabetes | -3.9 IDS points [95% CI -9.0 to 1.2] | was not superior to placebo in reducing | #1 |
light therapy | no change | insulin sensitivity | patients with depression and type 2 diabetes | - | was not superior to placebo in improving | #2 |
light therapy | decrease | depression | a subgroup of highly insulin-resistant individuals with type 2 diabetes | - | might be a promising treatment for | #3 |
OBJECTIVE: Depression is common in patients with type 2 diabetes and adversely affects quality of life and diabetes outcomes. We assessed whether light therapy, an antidepressant, improves mood and insulin sensitivity in patients with depression and type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 83 patients with depression and type 2 diabetes. The intervention comprised 4 weeks of light therapy (10,000 lux) or placebo light therapy daily at home. Primary outcomes included depressive symptoms (Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology [IDS]) and insulin sensitivity (M-value derived from the results of a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp). Secondary outcomes were related psychological and glucometabolic measures. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analysis showed that light therapy was not superior to placebo in reducing depressive symptoms (-3.9 IDS points [95% CI -9.0 to 1.2]; CONCLUSIONS: Although this trial is essentially inconclusive, secondary analyses indicate that light therapy might be a promising treatment for depression among a subgroup of highly insulin-resistant individuals with type 2 diabetes.