Bright green light treatment of depression for older adults ISRCTN69400161.
Open accessAbstract
Background: Bright white light has been successfully used for the treatment of depression. There is interest in identifying which spectral colors of light are the most efficient in the treatment of depression. It is theorized that green light could decrease the intensity duration of exposure needed. Late Wake Treatment (LWT), sleep deprivation for the last half of one night, is associated with rapid mood improvement which has been sustained by light treatment. Because spectral responsiveness may differ by age, we examined whether green light would provide efficient antidepressant treatment in an elder age group. Methods: We contrasted one hour of bright green light (1,200 Lux) and one hour of dim red light placebo (<10 Lux) in a randomized treatment trial with depressed elders. Participants were observed in their homes with mood scales, wrist actigraphy and light monitoring. On the day prior to beginning treatment, the participants self-administered LWT. Results: The protocol was completed by 33 subjects who were 59 to 80 years old. Mood improved on average 23% for all subjects, but there were no significant statistical differences between treatment and placebo groups. There were negligible adverse reactions to the bright green light, which was well tolerated. Conclusion: Bright green light was not shown to have an antidepressant effect in the age group of this study, but a larger trial with brighter green light might be of value.
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Green light may have effects similar to those of white light, such as inhibiting melatonin, altering circadian rhythms, and improving depression, and may be more effective.
“While green light may have effects similar to those of white light, such as inhibiting melatonin, altering circadian rhythms, and improving depression, it may be more effective.[19]”
From Effectiveness of visible light for seasonal affective disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [19]
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“[19] Hence, we incorporated white light, blue light, and green light as interventions for network meta-analysis, in order to determine the key parameters of superior light wavelengths.”
von Spreckelsen, P., Schouten, D., Waslam, N. G., Katuin, P., Heering, H. D., Planting, C., Antypa, N., Kivelä, L., Lancel, M., & Schweren, L. J. S. (2025) · Sleep Medicine: X · doi:10.1016/j.sleepx.2025.100145 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
- Authors
- Loving, R. T., Kripke, D. F., Knickerbocker, N. C., & Grandner, M. A.
- Affiliations
- University of California San Diego (US)
- Corresponding author
- Kripke, Daniel F
- Venue
- BMC Psychiatry
- Published
- 2005-11-09
- Volume
- 5
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 42-42
- ISSN
- 1471-244X (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC1309618
- OpenAlex
- W2109720059
- Cited by
- 37
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 1.70
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- BMC Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- NCHU Institutional Repository CRIS (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute on Aging (R01AG012364, AG-12364)
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R56HL071123, HL071123, R01HL071123)
- National Institute of Mental Health (MH68545, R01MH068545)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
- Keywords
- depression, older adults, phototherapy, spectral colors, sleep deprivation, antidepressant effects, mood improvement, adverse effects
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Circadian Rhythm, Clinical Protocols, Color, Depressive Disorder, Major, Major Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Lighting, Male, Melatonin, Phototherapy, Placebos, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Self Administration, Sleep Deprivation, Geriatric Assessment, Treatment Outcome
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