The effects of blue-enriched light treatment compared to standard light treatment in seasonal affective disorder.
Open accessAbstract
Background One of the most frequently investigated hypotheses of the pathophysiology underlying Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a disturbance of circadian rhythms. Since the circadian system as well as other non-visual effects is especially sensitive to blue light, a new light therapy device with blue enriched polychromatic light was tested for its efficacy to treat SAD. Methods Within one winter 52 patients were treated in one of three conditions: 30 min full spectrum light (9000 lx, 5000 K), 30 min blue-enriched light (9000 lx, 17,000 K), or 20 min blue-enriched light. The study lasted 22 days with 10 days of morning-light treatment on weekdays during the first 2 weeks. Results Depressive symptoms (SIGH SAD) diminished over the 3-week period in all conditions, with no significant differences between conditions. The percentage responders were high, differing from 75%, 59% and 71% for the standard-LT, 30 min blue-enriched-LT, and 20 min blue-enriched-LT, respectively. Conclusion The lack of superiority of high intensity blue-enriched light over standard bright light treatment does not clearly support nor rule out the possibility of an important role for the circadian system or the blue sensitive non-visual image forming system in general, in the pathophysiology of SAD. The lack of a difference between conditions may also be the result of a saturated response to the high light intensities used. Recent data indeed suggest that low intensity blue-enriched light may be as effective as standard bright light treatment. The possibility of improving light therapy for SAD patients by applying light of shorter duration or at lower light intensities is highly relevant for optimizing treatment and will help to clarify the role of the circadian system and/or the non-image forming photoreceptors in SAD pathophysiology. Clinical trial https://register.clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01048294.
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Eleven included studies accomplished double-blinding for both patients and raters, avoiding performance bias and detection bias.
“Eleven studies accomplished the double-blind procedure for both patients and raters, effectively avoiding performance bias and detection bias.[23,25–27,29,32,35,36,38–40]”
From Effectiveness of visible light for seasonal affective disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [27]
Eleven included studies accomplished double-blinding for both patients and raters, avoiding performance bias and detection bias.
“Eleven studies accomplished the double-blind procedure for both patients and raters, effectively avoiding performance bias and detection bias.[23,25–27,29,32,35,36,38–40]”
From Effectiveness of visible light for seasonal affective disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [29]
Fourteen articles reported effects of various visible light interventions on SIGH-SAD of patients with SAD.
“Fourteen articles[25–36,38,39] reported the effects of various visible light interventions on SIGH-SAD of patients with SAD.”
From Effectiveness of visible light for seasonal affective disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [29]
Fourteen articles reported effects of various visible light interventions on SIGH-SAD of patients with SAD.
“Fourteen articles[25–36,38,39] reported the effects of various visible light interventions on SIGH-SAD of patients with SAD.”
From Effectiveness of visible light for seasonal affective disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [27]
Thirteen articles reported effects of different visible light interventions on HDRS of patients with SAD.
“Thirteen articles[23,28–38,40] reported the effects of different visible light interventions on HDRS of patients with SAD”
From Effectiveness of visible light for seasonal affective disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [29]
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“More studies of successful light treatment in SAD followed (Golden et al., 2005; Meesters et al., 1995; Terman et al., 1989; Terman and Terman, 2005; Thompson, 2001).”
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- Authors
- Gordijn, M. C. M., 't Mannetje, D., & Meesters, Y.
- Affiliations
- University Medical Center Groningen (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Gordijn, M.C.M.
- Venue
- Journal of Affective Disorders
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2012-01
- Volume
- 136
- Issue
- 1-2
- Pages
- 72-80
- ISSN
- 0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2147710223
- Cited by
- 63
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 1.41
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Funders
- Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., The Netherlands
- 6th European IP
- EUCLOCK (018741)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Light effects on plants
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Impact of Light on Environment and Health
- Keywords
- seasonal affective disorder, phototherapy, blue-enriched light, bright light therapy, circadian rhythm, depressive symptoms, light intensity, treatment duration
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Circadian Rhythm, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Phototherapy, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Young Adult
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