Controlled trial of safety and efficacy of bright light therapy vs. negative air ions in patients with bipolar depression

Forty-four adults with bipolar disorder were randomized to receive bright light therapy or negative ion generator treatment for 8 weeks.

• No statistically significant differences were found between the treatment groups in depression outcomes at the study's end.
• Adverse events, including switches into hypomania, were rare across all groups.
• Bright light therapy has been previously shown to be effective for seasonal affective disorder but requires further investigation for bipolar depression.

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