[Phototherapy as a supporting treatment in depressive patients].

Phototherapy applied 5 days a week for 1.5 hours significantly accelerated improvement in depression symptoms within the first week when combined with antidepressants.

• Both combined therapy and antidepressants alone led to similar final outcomes after two weeks.
• Patients receiving phototherapy alongside antidepressants showed significant improvement earlier than those receiving antidepressants only.
• Particularly good responses to combined treatment were noted in patients with bipolar affective disorder.
• Different treatments affected specific depression symptoms variably; antidepressants improved sleep and appetite first, while combined therapy enhanced energy and mood.

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