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Bright light treatment in elderly patients with nonseasonal major depressive disorder: a randomized placebo-controlled trial
Double-blind RCT (n=89) of three weeks of 1-hour early-morning pale blue bright light (~7500 lux) versus dim red placebo light (~50 lux) in outpatients ≥60 years with nonseasonal major depression: Hamilton Depression scores improved more with bright light at end-of-treatment and after a three-week washout, alongside sleep and melatonin/cortisol rhythm signals.
Design
- Double-blind RCT; n = 89 outpatients ≥60 y with nonseasonal MDD
- Intervention: 1 h early-morning bright light (pale blue ~7500 lux) vs dim red ~50 lux control; 3 weeks active treatment; follow-up 3 weeks post treatment
Mood outcomes (ITT; abstract)
- HAM-D improvement greater with bright light vs control from baseline to week 3 (P = .03) and baseline to week 6 (P = .001)
Physiology / sleep secondary signals
- Sleep efficiency and melatonin evening slope moved favourably with bright light; 24-h urinary free cortisol lower vs control at extended follow-up—read tables for exact % changes
Evidence hygiene
- Home-based compliance and light-box quality vary in real-world replication.
Publication
Lieverse R, Van Someren EJ, Nielen MM, Uitdehaag BM, Smit JH, Hoogendijk WJ. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2011 Jan;68(1):61-70. PMID 21199966; NCT00332670.
Outcomes
- HAM-D scores improved more with 3 weeks of early-morning bright light than dim placebo at end of treatment (P=0.03) and remained more improved at 6 weeks including washout (P=0.001) per intention-to-treat abstract.
- Sleep Efficiency2% (Percentage)