Evidence-Based Reviews

Bright light therapy for bipolar depression: A review of 6 studies

Current Psychiatry. 2021 May;20(5):40-44,46 | doi:10.12788/cp.0114

References

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6. Dome P, Rihmer Z, Gonda X. Suicide risk in bipolar disorder: a brief review. Medicina (Kaunas). 2019;55(8):403.
7. Sachs GS, Nierenberg AA, Calabrese JR, et al. Effectiveness of adjunctive antidepressant treatment for bipolar depression. N Engl J Med. 2007;356(17):1711-1722.
8. Post RM, Altshuler LL, Leverich GS, et al. Mood switch in bipolar depression: comparison of adjunctive venlafaxine, bupropion, and sertraline. Br J Psychiatry. 2006;189:124-131.
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11. Terman M, Amira L, Terman JS, et al. Predictors of response and nonresponse to light treatment for winter depression. Am J Psychiatry. 1996;153(11):1423-1429.
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15. D’Agostino A, Ferrara P, Terzoni S, et al. Efficacy of triple chronotherapy in unipolar and bipolar depression: a systematic review of available evidence. J Affect Disord. 2020;276:297-304.
16. Dallaspezia S, Benedetti F. Antidepressant light therapy for bipolar patients: a meta-analyses. J Affect Disord. 2020;274:943-948.
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Outcomes

All studies reported improvement in HAM-D scores at the end of treatment with triple chronotherapy, with response rates ranging from 50% to 84%.
Most studies had a short follow-up period (up to 3 weeks). In these studies, response rates ranged from 58.3% to 61.5%. One study that had a 7-week follow-up also reported a statistically significant response rate in favor of triple chronotherapy.
Remission rates, defined by different cut-offs depending on which version of the HAM-D was used, were evaluated in 5 studies. These rates ranged from 33.3% to 77%.
Two studies that used the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale to assess the effect of triple chronotherapy on suicide risk reported a significant improvement in scores.

Conclusion

Triple chronotherapy may be an effective and safe adjunctive treatment for depression. Some studies suggest that it also may play a role in remission from depression and reducing suicide risk.

5. Dallaspezia S, Benedetti F. Antidepressant light therapy for bipolar patients: a meta-analyses. J Affect Disord. 2020;274:943-948.

In a meta-analysis, Dallaspezia and Benedetti¹⁶ evaluated 11 studies to assess the role of BLT for treating depressive symptoms in patients with bipolar disorder.

Study design

Researchers searched literature published on PubMed with the terms “mood disorder,” “depression,” and “light therapy.”
Eleven studies with a total of 195 participants were included. Five studies were RCTs.
The primary outcome was severity of depression based on scores on the HAM-D, Beck Depression Inventory, or SIGH-ADS. Secondary outcomes were light intensity (measured in lux) and duration of treatment.

Outcomes

Analysis of all 11 studies revealed a positive effect of BLT on depressive symptoms (P < .001).
Analysis of just the 5 RCTs found a significant effect of BLT on depressive symptoms (P < .001).
The switch rate due to BLT was lower than rates for patients being treated with antidepressant monotherapy (15% to 40%) or placebo (4.2%).
Duration of treatment influenced treatment outcomes (P = .05); a longer duration resulted in the highest clinical effect. However, regardless of duration, BLT showed higher antidepressant effects than placebo.
Higher light intensity was also found to show greater efficacy.

Continue to: Conclusion

Bright light therapy for bipolar depression: A review of 6 studies

References

Outcomes

Conclusion

5. Dallaspezia S, Benedetti F. Antidepressant light therapy for bipolar patients: a meta-analyses. J Affect Disord. 2020;274:943-948.

Study design

Outcomes

Pages

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