Efficacy of light therapy versus antidepressant drugs, and of the combination versus monotherapy, in major depressive episodes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the efficacy of light therapy (LT) versus antidepressant drugs (AD) and their combination (LT + AD) in treating moderate to severe major depressive episodes.
Results Summary
The study found no significant superiority of LT + Placebo over AD + Placebo, but the combination LT + AD was significantly superior to AD + Placebo, particularly in non-seasonal depression patients. Meta-analyses indicated minimal heterogeneity between studies.
Population
Patients with moderate to severe major depressive episodes (397 participants from seven independent populations).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Median 5 weeks (range 2-8 weeks)
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
light therapy | decrease | seasonal and non-seasonal depression | - | - | has been shown to be efficient | #1 |
light therapy + Placebo | decrease | depression score | participants with a moderate to severe major depressive episode | SMD = 0.19 [-0.08-0.45]; p = 0.17 | superiority (lower depression score) ... was non-significant | #2 |
light therapy + antidepressant drugs | decrease | depression score | participants with a moderate to severe major depressive episode | SMD = 0.56 [0.24-0.88]; p < 0.001 | was superior to | #3 |
light therapy + antidepressant drugs | decrease | depression score | patients with non-seasonal depression | SMD = 0.55 [0.16-0.93]; p = 0.005 | superiority was confirmed | #4 |
Although light therapy (LT) has been shown to be efficient in the treatment of seasonal and non-seasonal depression, it is underused in clinical settings and antidepressant drugs (AD) remain so far the usual first line treatment. The aim of this systematic review and weighted random effect meta-analysis is to examine the randomized controlled trials that compared directly light therapy and antidepressant drugs, as well as their combination (LT + AD). A total of 397 participants were included, with a moderate to severe major depressive episode, from seven independent populations. The median duration of intervention was 5 wks (range 2-8 wks). The superiority (lower depression score) of LT + Placebo compared to AD + Placebo was non-significant (SMD = 0.19 [-0.08-0.45]; p = 0.17). The combination LT + AD was superior to AD + Placebo (SMD = 0.56 [0.24-0.88]; p < 0.001). This superiority was confirmed in the subgroup of patients with non-seasonal depression (SMD = 0.55 [0.16-0.93]; p = 0.005). Meta-analyses showed no or small heterogeneity between studies (I