The effects of low-intensity narrow-band blue-light treatment compared to bright white-light treatment in seasonal affective disorder.
Open accessAbstract
Background Ever since a new photoreceptor was discovered with a highest sensitivity to 470-490 nm blue light, it has been speculated that blue light has some advantages in the treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) over more traditional treatments. In this study we compared the effects of exposure to narrow-band blue light (BLUE) to those of broad-wavelength white light (BLT) in the treatment of SAD. Methods In a 15-day design, 45 patients suffering from SAD completed 30-min sessions of light treatment on 5 consecutive days. 21 subjects received white-light treatment (BLT, broad-wavelength without UV, 10 000 lx, irradiance 31.7 W/m 2), 24 subjects received narrow-band blue light (BLUE, 100 lx, irradiance 1.0 W/m 2). All participants completed weekly questionnaires concerning mood and energy levels, and were also assessed by means of the SIGH-SAD, which is the primary outcome measure. Results On day 15, SIGH-SAD ratings were significantly lower than on day 1 (BLT 73.2%, effect size 3.37; BLUE 67%, effect size 2.63), which outcomes were not statistically significant different between both conditions. Limitations Small sample size. Conclusions Light treatment is an effective treatment for SAD. The use of narrow-band blue light is equally effective as a treatment using bright white-light.
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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 [32]
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 [32]
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 [30]
There is substantial evidence showing that blue light has significant therapeutic effects on SAD.
“Although there is substantial evidence showing that blue light has significant therapeutic effects on SAD,[32,38,46]”
From Effectiveness of visible light for seasonal affective disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [32]
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 [30]
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 [32]
Cites
Light therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder A review of efficacy
TERMAN, M. (1989) · Neuropsychopharmacology · doi:10.1016/0893-133x(89)90002-x · Cited by 539 · see citing works
Lux vs. wavelength in light treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder
Anderson, J. L., Glod, C. A., Dai, J., Cao, Y., & Lockley, S. W. (2009) · Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0447.2009.01345.x · Cited by 111 · see citing works
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Self-citationExtraocular light therapy in winter depression: a double-blind placebo-controlled study
Koorengevel, K. M., Gordijn, M. C. M., Beersma, D. G. M., Meesters, Y., den Boer, J. A., van den Hoofdakker, R. H., & Daan, S. (2001) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/s0006-3223(01)01182-9 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
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Do, A., Li, V. W., Huang, S., Michalak, E. E., Tam, E. M., Chakrabarty, T., Yatham, L. N., & Lam, R. W. (2022) · The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/07067437221097903 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
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- Authors
- Meesters, Y., Duijzer, W. B., & Hommes, V.
- Affiliations
- University Medical Center Groningen (NL)
- Philips (Netherlands) (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Meesters, Ybe
- ORCID
- Meesters, Ybe
- Venue
- Journal of Affective Disorders
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2018-05
- Volume
- 232
- Pages
- 48-51
- ISSN
- 0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2792718478
- Cited by
- 30
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 2
- FWCI
- 2.26
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- 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, mood, energy levels, blue-light photoreceptor
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Affect, Color, Female, Humans, Light, Male, Middle Aged, Phototherapy, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Surveys and Questionnaires, Ultraviolet Rays, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Treatment Outcome
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