Adjunctive Bright Light Therapy for Non-Seasonal Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the efficacy of bright light therapy (BLT) augmentation compared to placebo light in treating non-seasonal major depressive disorder in patients already on stable antidepressant regimens.
Results Summary
The study assessed outcomes using standardized depression rating scales at weeks 1, 2, and 4, but the abstract does not provide specific results regarding the effectiveness of BLT compared to placebo.
Population
Outpatients with non-seasonal major depressive disorder in a subtropical area (24.5°-25.5°N), aged 22-81 years, on stable antidepressant dosages for 4 weeks prior to enrollment.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
4 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
bright light therapy (BLT) augmentation | neutral | non-seasonal major depressive disorder | outpatients who had received stable dosages and various regimens of antidepressive agents for 4 weeks before enrollment | - | assessed efficacy | #1 |
bright light therapy (BLT) augmentation | neutral | non-seasonal major depressive disorder | outpatients who had received stable dosages and various regimens of antidepressive agents for 4 weeks before enrollment | - | compared with placebo light | #2 |
bright light therapy (BLT) augmentation | neutral | 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale | outpatients who had received stable dosages and various regimens of antidepressive agents for 4 weeks before enrollment | - | assessed | #3 |
bright light therapy (BLT) augmentation | neutral | Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale | outpatients who had received stable dosages and various regimens of antidepressive agents for 4 weeks before enrollment | - | assessed | #4 |
bright light therapy (BLT) augmentation | neutral | Patient Health Questionnaire-9 | outpatients who had received stable dosages and various regimens of antidepressive agents for 4 weeks before enrollment | - | assessed | #5 |
This double-blind, randomized controlled trial assessed bright light therapy (BLT) augmentation efficacy compared with placebo light in treating non-seasonal major depressive disorder. The study participants belonged to a subtropical area (24.5°-25.5°N) with extensive daylight and included outpatients who had received stable dosages and various regimens of antidepressive agents for 4 weeks before enrollment. The outcomes were the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9, which were assessed at weeks 1, 2, and 4. A total of 43 participants (mean age 45 years, ranging from 22-81) were randomized into the BLT [