Light therapy of late luteal phase dysphoric disorder: an extended study
Abstract
Nineteen patients with late luteal phase dysphoric disorder (LLPDD) and 11 healthy comparison subjects underwent a 3-month crossover trial of bright (more than 2500 lux) white morning, bright white evening, and placebo dim (less than 10 lux) red evening light, administered daily for 1 week during the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle. All light treatments significantly reduced depressive ratings from baseline levels.
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Light therapy is effective in significantly reducing depressive symptoms in PMDD patients.
“Indeed, studies have found that light therapy was effective in significantly reducing depressive symptoms in PMDD patients [110–112].”
From Sleep, hormones, and circadian rhythms throughout the menstrual cycle in healthy women and women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (2010) · cites this paper as [111]
A follow-up study achieved similar beneficial effects of symptom alleviation in PMDD patients using bright white light in the morning, bright white light in the evening, and dim red light in the evening.
“While an initial study by Parry et al. [110] found that bright evening light was more effective than morning light, a follow-up study by the same group [111] achieved similar beneficial effects of symptom alleviation in PMDD patients using bright white light in the morning, bright white light in the evening, and dim red light in the evening (a putative placebo).”
From Sleep, hormones, and circadian rhythms throughout the menstrual cycle in healthy women and women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (2010) · cites this paper as [111]
In the follow-up light therapy study, a placebo effect cannot be excluded.
“As the authors point out, a placebo effect cannot be excluded.”
From Sleep, hormones, and circadian rhythms throughout the menstrual cycle in healthy women and women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (2010) · cites this paper as [111]
In PMDD, two studies demonstrated the most mood improvement after evening bright light.
“Unlike MDD, however, in which morning bright light had the greatest antidepressant effects [109], two studies demonstrated the most mood improvement after evening bright light.”
From Sleep, hormones, and circadian rhythms throughout the menstrual cycle in healthy women and women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (2010) · cites this paper as [111]
PMDD patients have responded favorably to light therapy during their symptomatic luteal phase.
“PMDD patients, like those with MDD, have responded favorably to light therapy during their symptomatic LP.”
From Sleep, hormones, and circadian rhythms throughout the menstrual cycle in healthy women and women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (2010) · cites this paper as [111]
Nonpharmacological therapies for PMDD symptoms which target the sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythms, such as phototherapy and sleep deprivation, are often effective in improving mood and sleep quality in these patients.
“Finally, nonpharmacological therapies for PMDD symptoms which target the sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythms, such as phototherapy [110–112] and sleep deprivation [52, 65, 113, 114], are often effective in improving mood and sleep quality in these patients.”
From Sleep, hormones, and circadian rhythms throughout the menstrual cycle in healthy women and women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (2010) · cites this paper as [111]
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- Authors
- Parry, B. L., Mahan, A. M., Mostofi, N., Klauber, M. R., Lew, G., & Gillin, J. C.
- Affiliations
- University of California San Diego (US)
- Venue
- American Journal of Psychiatry
- Published
- 1993-09-01
- Volume
- 150
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 1417-1419
- ISSN
- 0002-953X (ISSN-L)
- 1535-7228
- OpenAlex
- W74500663
- Cited by
- 74
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 2.58
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5r29mh042831-05)
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH MH-30914, NIMH MH-42831)
- National Center for Research Resources (NIMH RR-00827, M01RR000827)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Menstrual Health and Disorders
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Keywords
- phototherapy, late luteal phase dysphoric disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, bright light, red light, dim light, depression, menstrual cycle, premenstrual phase
- MeSH terms
- Circadian Rhythm, Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Luteal Phase, Phototherapy, Placebos, Premenstrual Syndrome
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