The DOI matches its Crossref record.
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.
Overview
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“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]
In the citing paper
“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)
In the citing paper
“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)
In the citing paper
“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)
In the citing paper
“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
Citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 101–148 of 148
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults
Asherson, P. J., Balázs, J., Bitter, I., Carpentier, P. J., Jaeschke, R. R., Mohr, P., Ramos‐Quiroga, J. A., Rossi, P. D., Semerci, B., & Kooij, J. J. S. (2024) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781009067287.010 · Cited by 3
Silvestri, R., & Aric, I. (2012) · InTech eBooks · doi:10.5772/27560 · Cited by 2
Lichttherapie: Zum Stand der aktuellen Forschung
Bassa, D., Canazei, M., Hinterhuber, H., & Weiss, E. M. (2013) · Neuropsychiatrie · doi:10.1007/s40211-013-0067-5 · Cited by 4
Attention Deficit, Hyperactivity, and Sleep Disorders
Dillon, J. E., & Chervin, R. D. (2014) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-1-4557-0318-0.00015-2 · Cited by 5
Kooij, J. J. S. (2021) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-82812-7_4 · Cited by 2
Borodkin, K., & Dagan, Y. (2011) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511777493.013 · Cited by 2
van der Ham, M., Bijlenga, D., Molenaar, N. M., Starreveld, D. E. J., Böhmer, M. N., Wettstein, R., Dumont, G., Beekman, A. T. F., & Kooij, J. J. S. (2025) · Journal of Attention Disorders · doi:10.1177/10870547251379103 · Cited by 3
“(Fargason et al., 2017; Rybak et al., 2006; van Andel et al., 2021).”
InfluentialIbrahimi, D., & García‐Martínez, J. R. (2025) · Clinics and Practice · doi:10.3390/clinpract16010003 · Cited by 1
“These disturbances have motivated exploration of chronobiological and light-based interventions—such as bright-light therapy and spectral-modulation paradigms—designed to advance circadian phase and stabilize arousal regulation [101,102].”
InfluentialRasool, H., & Nasir, Z. M. (2012) · The Far East Journal of Psychology and Business · Cited by 1
An Open Trial of Light Therapy in Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Ballenger, J. C. (2008) · Yearbook of Psychiatry and Applied Mental Health · doi:10.1016/s0084-3970(08)70858-2 · Cited by 1
Steinmetz, M., & Schönknecht, P. (2016) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-50347-8_19 · Cited by 1
Sleep in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Cortese, S., & Lecendreux, M. (2011) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511777493.023 · Cited by 1
Zirkadiane Rhythmen und Depression: Chronobiologische Behandlungsmöglichkeiten
Wirz‐Justice, A., & Cajochen, C. (2011) · Swiss Medical Forum ‒ Schweizerisches Medizin-Forum · doi:10.4414/smf.2011.07583 · Cited by 1
Comorbid Sleep and Wake Problems in Treatment-Resistant Psychiatric Conditions
Kang, S., Lee, H., Kim, Y., & Kim, L. (2018) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-10-4358-1_18 · Cited by 1
Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Alruwaili, J. (2021) · Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International · doi:10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i531184 · Cited by 1
“Exposure to sun and phototherapy are used as treatments for ADHD [7,8].”
BackgroundEVEN, C. (2012) · Encyclopédie médico-chirurgicale. Psychiatrie · doi:10.1016/s0246-1072(12)60001-7 · Cited by 1
van Bommel, W. (2019) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-17195-7_9 · Cited by 1
Drăgoi, C. M., Dumitrescu, I.-B., & Nicolae, A. C. (2022) · IntechOpen eBooks · doi:10.5772/intechopen.102021 · Cited by 1
Corkum, P. V., Bertrand, M., Ilie, A., & Rajda, M. (2023) · Autism and child psychopathology series · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-41709-2_10 · Cited by 1
Circadian Rhythm Disorders in Childhood
Miano, S. (2016) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-28640-2_12 · Cited by 2
Angriman, M., & Cortese, S. (2019) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-814180-9.00009-0 · Cited by 1
Sleep in Adults With ADHD—Etiology, Impact, and Treatments
Aizenstros, J., Chan, E. S., Aizenstros, A., & May, T. (2019) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-814180-9.00012-0 · Cited by 1
Kooij, J. J. S. (2021) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-82812-7_2 · Cited by 1
Winter Fatigue and Winter Depression : Prevalence and Treatment with Bright Light
Rastad, C. (2009) · KTH Publication Database DiVA (KTH Royal Institute of Technology) · Cited by 1
Management of Sleep Disorders: Light Therapy
Mao, W., Lee, H., & Chen, H. (2012) · International series on intelligent systems, control and automation: science and engineering · doi:10.1007/978-94-007-5470-6_8
Phototherapy: Role in Sleep Disorders
Devnani, P. (2014) · Indian Journal of Sleep Medicine · doi:10.5958/0974-0155.2014.01098.5
Claret, A., Bioulac, S., Bouvard, M. P., & Philip, P. (2014) · Médecine du Sommeil · doi:10.1016/j.msom.2014.10.002
Imeraj, L. (2012) · Ghent University Academic Bibliography (Ghent University)
Rythmes circadiens et dépression: possibilités de traitements chronobiologiques
Wirz‐Justice, A., & Cajochen, C. (2011) · Forum Médical Suisse ‒ Swiss Medical Forum · doi:10.4414/fms.2011.07583
The Impact of Methylphenidate on Circadian Rhythms and Clock Gene Expression
Coogan, A. N., Thome, J., & Baird, A. L. (2016) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-800634-4.00066-4
Clinical Associations of Chronotypes in Adolescents and Young Adults with Mental Disorders
Fares, S. (2016) · The Sydney eScholarship Repository (The University of Sydney)
Validating a novel ADHD model for medication development
Majdak, P. (2016) · Illinois Digital Environment for Access to Learning and Scholarship (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
Langevin, R., & Ramdé, J. (2019) · Revue de psychoéducation · doi:10.7202/1061591ar
Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit- / Hyperaktivitätsstörung im Erwachsenenalter
Brand, S., & Wetter, T. C. (2020) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-3-437-21321-2.00065-x
Aandachtsdeficiëntie-/hyperactiviteitsstoornis (ADHD)
Bijlenga, D., & Kooij, J. J. S. (2020) · Bohn Stafleu van Loghum eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-90-368-2524-5_14
Helfer, B., & Steel, C. (2020) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.12.047
Baghdadi, G., Towhidkhah, F., & Rajabi, M. (2021) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-90935-8.00009-3
Praschak-Rieder, N. (2011) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-642-19844-1_65
Asociación entre cronotipo y síntomas depresivos: un estudio exploratorio
Méndez, E. R. R., Franco-Palacios, A., Barboza-Basualdo, S., Zapattini-López, J. E., O’Higgins, M. G., Navarro, R. E., Ruíz-Díaz, N., Amarilla, D., Barrios, I., & Torales, J. C. (2023) · Revista del Nacional (Itaguá) · doi:10.18004/rdn2023.dic.02.029.039
A review of the effect of phone use on sleep and methods to sleep better
Chen, S. (2024) · Theoretical and Natural Science · doi:10.54254/2753-8818/29/20240805
Bedeutung des circadianen Rhythmus bei psychischen Störungen
Cajochen, C., & Garbazza, C. (2024) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-3-437-21054-9.00007-0
Attention Deficit, Hyperactivity, and Sleep Disorders
Wang, G., Bogan, C., Lenker, K. P., Calhoun, S. L., Luebbert, J. F., & Chervin, R. D. (2024) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-75566-5.00014-9
Carta, A., Cavassa, V., & Sotgiu, S. (2025) · IntechOpen eBooks · doi:10.5772/intechopen.1011321
Nichtpharmakologische somatische Therapien
Frey, R., Kaufmann, R. M., Kasper, S. F., Hatzinger, M., Holsboer‐Trachsler, E., Praschak-Rieder, N., Landgrebe, M., Hajak, G., Eichhammer, P., & Zobel, A. W. (2008) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-540-68748-1_38
Glăvan, D., Udriștoiu, I., Hermann, D. M., Fîlfan, M., Doeppner, T. R., Gheorman, V., & Popa‐Wagner, A. (2026) · Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2026.111700
Snitselaar, M. A., Smits, M. G., van der Heijden, K. B., & Spijker, J. (2017) · Journal of Attention Disorders · doi:10.1177/1087054713479663 · Cited by 78
“Eveningness is positively correlated with ADHD symptoms (Bae et al., 2010; Bijlenga et al., 2011; Caci et al., 2004; Caci et al., 2009; Gruber et al., 2009; Rybak et al., 2007), and an increase in morningness is negatively correlated with ADHD symptoms (Rybak et al., 2006).”
BackgroundInfluentialGamble, K. L., May, R. S., Besing, R. C., Tankersly, A. P., & Fargason, R. E. (2013) · Chronobiology International · doi:10.3109/07420528.2012.754454 · Cited by 64
“Poor compliance with ongoing diaries has been noted in other ADHD studies (Rybak et al., 2006).”
Background
Metadata
- 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
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
