It’s a simple therapy.
Light therapy has long been a standard treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that occurs during the shorter, darker days of winter. However, new research is exploring the potential for light therapy to benefit individuals with other forms of depression as well.
A review led by Artur Menegaz de Almeida from the Federal University of Mato Grosso in Brazil analyzed light therapy’s potential as an additional treatment for major depressive disorder. While its effectiveness has been proven for SAD, there is growing interest in its use for nonseasonal depression and bipolar depression. Light exposure is known to influence human mood and cognitive function, which makes it a promising tool in treating these conditions.
Published in JAMA Psychiatry, the study reviewed data from 11 randomized clinical trials involving 858 patients diagnosed with nonseasonal major depression or bipolar depression. Some of these patients used light therapy alongside their prescribed medications, spending at least 30 minutes in front of a fluorescent light box emitting 10,000 lux for 1 to 6 weeks. Their progress was compared to that of patients receiving other adjunct treatments, like air ionizers or dim red light.
The findings were notable: 60.4% of those using light therapy saw a 50% reduction in depressive symptoms, compared to 38.6% in the other treatment groups. Furthermore, full remission rates were higher among the light therapy group, with 40.7% achieving remission versus 23.5% of those who didn’t use the therapy. These improvements typically occurred within a month.
In addition to its effectiveness, light therapy is much more affordable than many medications or therapy sessions, which strengthens the case for its use. The research team emphasized that bright light therapy has minimal costs or limitations, making it a viable and efficient complementary treatment for nonseasonal depressive disorders.
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