An Open Trial of Light Therapy in Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: In adults with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a delayed sleep/ activity rhythm and/or seasonal mood symptoms may contribute significantly to core pathology and disability. This study examined whether a chronobiologically based treatment, i.e., morning bright light therapy (LT), might have utility as an adjunctive treatment for adult ADHD in the fall/ winter period. METHOD: Twenty-nine adults with DSM-IV ADHD were administered a standard 3-week open trial of LT during the fall or winter months. Primary outcome measures included percentage reduction on the Brown Adult ADD Scale and the Conners' Adult ADHD Scale. Secondary measures were decrease in depression scores according to the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Seasonal Affective Disorder version; improvements on various neuropsychological tests; and shift toward an earlier circadian preference as measured by the Horne-Ostberg Morningness-Eveningness questionnaire. Regression analyses determined which variables at baseline best predicted improvement on a given outcome measure and which variables changed in parallel with one another. The study was conducted from November 2003 through February 2004. RESULTS: Morning bright light therapy was associated with a significant decrease in both subjective and objective measures of core ADHD pathology, improved mood symptoms, and a significant phase advance in circadian preference. Multiple regression showed that the shift toward an earlier circadian preference with LT was the strongest predictor of improvement on both subjective and objective ADHD measures. Neither baseline global seasonality scores nor baseline depression scores strongly predicted LT effects on most measures of ADHD. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that during the fall/winter period, LT may be a useful adjunct in many adults with ADHD. Strikingly, the strongest correlate of improvement in core ADHD pathology was a phase advance in circadian preference rather than alleviation of comorbid seasonal affective disorder, suggesting important clinical benefits of LT beyond the treatment of seasonal affective disorder.
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BLT is a useful additional treatment in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), borderline personality disorder, and other conditions characterised by sleep-wake disruption, such as schizophrenia or neurodegenerative diseases.
“The stabilising effects of light also make BLT a useful additional treatment in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) [69], borderline personality disorder [19], and other conditions characterised by sleep–wake disruption, such as schizophrenia [18] or neurodegenerative diseases [103].”
From Effects of light on human circadian rhythms, sleep and mood (2019) · cites this paper as [69]
Morning light therapy in adults with ADHD results in advances of circadian preference.
“advances of circadian preference.”
From A systematic review of circadian function, chronotype and chronotherapy in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (2017) · cites this paper as Rybak et al (2006)
Morning light therapy in adults with ADHD results in alleviation of core ADHD symptoms.
“Rybak et al (2006) report that morning light therapy in adults with ADHD results in alleviation of core ADHD”
From A systematic review of circadian function, chronotype and chronotherapy in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (2017) · cites this paper as Rybak et al (2006)
Morning light therapy in adults with ADHD results in improvement of mood symptoms.
“improvement of mood symptoms”
From A systematic review of circadian function, chronotype and chronotherapy in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (2017) · cites this paper as Rybak et al (2006)
Greater morningness (MEQ scores) is associated with reduction in ADHD symptom severity.
“Reduction in ADHD symptom severity indicated by Brown Adult ADD scale and CAARS associated with greater MEQ scores”
From A systematic review of circadian function, chronotype and chronotherapy in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (2017) · cites this paper as Rybak et al. 2006
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“In addition to the pathway between retina and SCN, there is recent evidence from animal studies show- Abbreviations ADHD Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder BLT Bright light therapy CCT Correlated colour temperature CIE Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage CRSWD Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders DLMO Dim-…”
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- Authors
- Rybak, Y. E., McNeely, H. E., Mackenzie, B. E., Jain, U. R., & Levitan, R. D.
- Affiliations
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CA)
- Venue
- The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc
- Published
- 2006-10-15
- Volume
- 67
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 1527-1535
- ISSN
- 0160-6689 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2038570276
- Cited by
- 148
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 11
- FWCI
- 2.97
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
- Keywords
- adult ADHD, bright light therapy, chronobiology, circadian preference, phase advance, seasonal affective disorder, depression, mood symptoms, sleep-wake cycle, adjunctive therapy
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Central Nervous System Stimulants, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Circadian Rhythm, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Neuropsychological Tests, Phototherapy, Surveys and Questionnaires, Regression Analysis, Seasons, Sleep Wake Disorders, Comorbidity, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Treatment Outcome, Patient Satisfaction
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