P01-59 - A multistage chronobiologic intervention for the treatment of depression: a pilot study

Abstract

BackgroundSeveral chronobiologic techniques were proposed as an alternative to antidepressant medications. The current article reports the design and the initial outcome results of a new chronobiologic multistage intervention (CMI) that is comprised of the following techniques:(i)partial sleep deprivation during the second half of the night(wake therapy),(ii)medium (green) wavelength light in combination with dawn simulation (DS),(iii)bright light therapy (BLT), and (iv) sleep phase advance (SPA).MethodsThe study was conducted as a set of 12 single-case designs with moderate-to-severe depressive volunteering patients. Depression, anxiety and tension measurements were taken on a daily basis beginning with a baseline measurement (T0), followed by a set of four consecutive morning measurements during the therapeutic intervention (T1-T4),and with a final measurement carried out at the end of 4 weeks of follow-up (T5).ResultsA clinically significant rapid improvement of the depressive symptoms was demonstrated and maintained for at least 4 weeks after the end of the intervention. No dropouts or compliance difficulties were observed. Sleepiness in the late afternoon hours was reported by several of the participants, but did not reach a level that interfered with their ability to function.ConclusionsThese initial findings showed the procedure to be effective and well tolerated. It affords many advantages, such as the achievement of a rapid response, no extinction of the therapeutic effect after 4weeks of follow-up, safety, high patient compliance and cost effectiveness.