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The lack of sustained effect of bright light in non-seasonal major depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 June 2006

KLAUS MARTINY
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Research Unit, Frederiksborg General Hospital, Hilleroed, Denmark
MARIANNE LUNDE
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Research Unit, Frederiksborg General Hospital, Hilleroed, Denmark
MOGENS UNDÉN
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Specialist Practice, Falkoner Allé, Copenhagen, Denmark
HENRIK DAM
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Department, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej, Copenhagen, Denmark
PER BECH
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Research Unit, Frederiksborg General Hospital, Hilleroed, Denmark

Abstract

Background. Recently accumulated evidence has demonstrated that bright-light therapy in combination with antidepressants is effective in patients with non-seasonal major depression. Whether bright light has a sustained effect after discontinuation is, however, poorly investigated.

Method. In this double-blind randomized study we report the results from a 4-week follow-up period in patients with major non-seasonal depression who had been treated for 5 weeks with sertraline combined with bright-light therapy or sertraline combined with dim-light therapy. At the beginning of the follow-up period the light therapy was stopped while sertraline treatment continued for 4 weeks.

Results. Depression scores decreased substantially in both groups, resulting in high response and remission rates in both groups after 9 weeks of treatment. The difference in depression scores at week 5, favouring the bright-light-treated group, disappeared gradually in the 4-week follow-up period, resulting in similar end-point scores.

Conclusions. Bright light did not have a sustained effect after discontinuation. The offset of effect was complete after 4 weeks.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
2006 Cambridge University Press

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