Sustained remission from perinatal depression after bright light therapy: A pilot randomised, placebo-controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of bright light therapy (BLT) compared to dim red light (DRL) for treating perinatal depression (PND) across the perinatal period.
Results Summary
BLT resulted in 73% remission (EPDS score ≤12) compared to 27% in the DRL group, with a significant group-time interaction favoring BLT. No major side effects were reported in either group.
Population
Women with an EPDS >12 from the 2nd gestational trimester until 9 months postpartum.
Effective Dosage
30 minutes of morning BLT (10,000 lux) or DRL (19 lux).
Duration
6 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bright light therapy (BLT) | decrease | perinatal depression (PND) | women with an EPDS >12 from the 2nd gestational trimester until 9 months postpartum | 73% | achieved remission | #1 |
Dim red light (DRL) | decrease | perinatal depression (PND) | women with an EPDS >12 from the 2nd gestational trimester until 9 months postpartum | 27% | achieved remission | #2 |
Bright light therapy (BLT) | decrease | EPDS score | women with an EPDS >12 from the 2nd gestational trimester until 9 months postpartum | - | greater reduction | #3 |
Bright light therapy (BLT) | no change | major side effects | women with an EPDS >12 from the 2nd gestational trimester until 9 months postpartum | - | no women reported major side effects | #4 |
Dim red light (DRL) | no change | major side effects | women with an EPDS >12 from the 2nd gestational trimester until 9 months postpartum | - | no women reported major side effects | #5 |
OBJECTIVE: Perinatal depression (PND) is a severe complication of pregnancy, affecting both mothers and newborns. Bright light therapy (BLT) has only been tested in a few studies for treating either antenatal or postnatal depression. We conducted a pilot trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of BLT for PND occurring at any time across the perinatal period. METHODS: A single-blind RCT was carried out in women with an EPDS >12 from the 2nd gestational trimester until 9 months postpartum. Participants received either 30-minutes morning BLT (10'000 lux) or dim red light (DRL, 19 lux) for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Twenty-two women were randomised to BLT (n = 11) or DRL (n = 11). Among those receiving BLT, 73% achieved remission (improvement ≥50%, EPDS score ≤ 12), in contrast to 27% in the DRL group (p = 0.04). A significant influence of time on EPDS score and group-time interaction emerged, with a greater reduction in the BLT-group across the follow-up period. No women in either group reported major side effects. CONCLUSION: Morning BLT induced a significant remission from PND as compared to DRL and this effect was maintained across the perinatal period. BLT showed an excellent safety profile and was well-tolerated, thus representing a valid therapeutic strategy in this vulnerable perinatal population.