Abstract
BackgroundLight therapy has been used to treat winter depression in bipolar disorder, although the dose, duration, and timing of treatment have differed. The present study is an open trial of light therapy for depressive episodes in autumn/winter using a Dutch protocol specific for patients with a bipolar disorder.MethodsData were collected for the seasons September–April 2017–2018 and September–April 2018–2019. In total, 58 patients received light therapy for a minimum of 7 days and a maximum of 21 days; there was a follow-up measurement after two weeks. Outcomes were quick inventory of depressive symptomatology (QIDS) scores and side effects.ResultsQIDS scores were significantly lower at the last day of therapy (B = − 6.00, p < 0.001) and 2 weeks after the end of treatment (B = − 6.55, p < 0.001) compared with pre-intervention. Remission (QIDS ≤ 5) was reached in 55% of the treatments and response (50% symptom reduction) in 57% of the treatments. Side effects were mild; two hypomanic periods occurred.ConclusionsThe Dutch light therapy protocol for patients with a bipolar disorder may be effective in treating a seasonal depression and side effects are mild. Light therapy deserves a prominent place in the treatment because effects may be large and quick.
Highlights
Light therapy has been an effective method for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder and nonseasonal affective disorder (Rosenthal 1984; Kripke 1998; Ruhrmann et al 1998; Tuunainen et al 2002; Golden et al 2005)
In 2018, Sit et al (2018) found that patients with a bipolar depression treated with bright white light had a significantly higher remission rate and lower depression scores compared to a placebo group
We found that 55% of the completed treatments led to remission (QIDS ≤ 5 at day 7, 14 or 21); 57% led to a response
Summary
Light therapy has been an effective method for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder and nonseasonal affective disorder (Rosenthal 1984; Kripke 1998; Ruhrmann et al 1998; Tuunainen et al 2002; Golden et al 2005). Research has shown that there is a remarkable resemblance between the research on these effects is still limited and results regarding the effectivity are inconclusive In their meta-analysis, Tseng et al (2016) found a significant decrease in severity of bipolar depression after light therapy. A recent study of Zhou et al (2018) showed a positive effect of light therapy in comparison to a control group in patients with a bipolar depression. Light therapy has been used to treat winter depression in bipolar disorder, the dose, duration, and timing of treatment have differed. The present study is an open trial of light therapy for depressive episodes in autumn/winter using a Dutch protocol specific for patients with a bipolar disorder
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