A 6-day combined wake and light therapy trial for unipolar depression

Sep 1, 2019Journal of affective disorders

Six-day combined wakefulness and light therapy for depression

AI simplified

Circadian Biology on OpenScience ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Abstract

Depression levels significantly declined following treatment in 35 hospitalized patients with moderately severe non-seasonal depressive disorder.

A modified triple chronotherapy protocol was tested, involving sleep deprivation, light therapy, and sleep stabilization.
Patients experienced a decline in depression scores immediately after the first night and after the full 6-day treatment.
No differences were found between the effects of white and orange light, although white light showed some superior response rates in mood and energy.
All patients successfully advanced their bedtime and wake-up time by 30-40 minutes without napping during the day.
The treatment was well tolerated, indicating feasibility for further exploration.

AI simplified

BACKGROUND: There are a dozen studies on double or triple chronotherapy in depression (sleep deprivation [wake therapy] + light therapy + sleep advance/stabilization). We investigated efficacy and feasibility of a modified triple chronotherapy protocol.

METHODS: Thirty-five hospitalized patients with moderately severe non-seasonal depressive disorder, mostly free from antidepressants, underwent a 6-day protocol consisting of partial sleep deprivation late in the second half of the night (from 4:00 to 8:00) in a light therapy room (blue-enhanced white light increased hourly from 600→1300→2200→2800 lx) alternating with recovery nights with morning light treatment from 7:00 to 8:00. Patients were randomized to wear glasses with no filter (clear, N = 19) or filtering blue wavelength (orange-appearance, light intensity diminution by ∼70%, N = 16) during the treatments. Sleep was targeted to be shifted at least 1 h earlier. Depression was scored using HDRS-17 (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) and BDI-II (Beck Depression Inventory-II) - before and after the 6-days treatment, HDRS-6-SR - daily, and visual analogue scales (VAS) for mood and energy - several times every day.

RESULTS: Depression levels significantly declined following the first night and after 6-days treatment, with no difference between white and orange lights. Nevertheless, some superiority of white light emerged with respect to response rate (mood VAS), immediate effect during the 4-h treatment sessions (energy VAS), and expected treatment outcomes. All patients successfully advanced bedtime/wake-up (by 30-40 minutes) and resisted naps during daytime.

LIMITATIONS: Relatively small sample size.

CONCLUSIONS: The modified triple chronotherapy was well tolerated and improved depression. Light spectrum/intensity plays some role in the response.

Full Text

Full text is available at the source.

View full text (XML) ↗View full text ↗

A 6-day combined wake and light therapy trial for unipolar depression

Abstract

Full Text

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

what lands in your inbox each week:

Recent issues from the circadian biology brief

Abstract

Full Text

Related papers

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

what lands in your inbox each week:

Recent issues from the circadian biology brief