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

In a double-blind study, depression scores decreased substantially in both treatment groups after 9 weeks of therapy.

• High response and remission rates were observed in patients treated with sertraline combined with bright-light therapy or dim-light therapy.
• The initial advantage in depression scores for the bright-light group diminished over the 4-week follow-up period.
• By the end of the follow-up, both groups had similar depression scores.
• Bright light did not maintain a lasting effect after treatment was stopped.

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