Adjunctive bright light in non-seasonal major depression: results from patient-reported symptom and well-being scales
Abstract
Objective: In this study, we tested the efficacy of bright light therapy as an adjunct to antidepressant treatment (sertraline) in patients with non‐seasonal major depression. Method: In a randomized double‐blind controlled trial, 102 patients were treated for 5 weeks with either white bright light (10.000 lx, 1 h/day) or red dim light (50 lx, 30 min/day). All patients received sertraline in a dosage of 50 mg daily. The self‐assessment scales used were the Major Depression Inventory (MDI), the Psychological General Well‐Being Scale (PGWB) and the Symptom Check List (SCL‐90R). Results: On all three questionnaires the score differences between baseline and endpoint were greatest in the bright light group. On the SCL‐90R, the difference reached statistical significance. Results and effect sizes are compared with results from Danish national population studies applying PGWB and SCL‐90R. Conclusion: The results advocate the use of bright light as an adjunct treatment of non‐seasonal depression.
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Phototherapy is effective in treating depressive symptoms, and the sustained antidepressant effect of bright light therapy has been confirmed in clinical studies.
“Phototherapy is effective in treating depressive symptoms [39], and the sustained antidepressant effect of BLT has been confirmed in clinical studies [40,41].”
From Bright light therapy in the treatment of patients with bipolar disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2020) · cites this paper as [41]
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- Authors
- Martiny, K., Lunde, M., Undén, M., Dam, H., & Bech, P.
- Corresponding author
- Martiny, K.
- Venue
- Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2005-05-09
- Volume
- 111
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 453-459
- ISSN
- 0001-690X (ISSN-L)
- 1600-0447
- OpenAlex
- W2115481634
- Cited by
- 35
- References
- 22
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 4 · 2017: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 1.70
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Pfizer
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Keywords
- bright light therapy, sertraline, adjunctive therapy, psychological well-being, symptom severity, antidepressant treatment
- MeSH terms
- Combined Modality Therapy, Depressive Disorder, Major, Major Depressive Disorder, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Light, Male, Middle Aged, Phototherapy, Quality of Life, Treatment Outcome, Patient Satisfaction, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, Age of Onset, Sertraline, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
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