title: Hypericum in seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
abstract: Volunteers from the membership of the SAD Association took part in a postal survey, before and after eight weeks' treatment with Hypericum (Kira), using an 11-item rating scale. The maximum score is 44 and the mean score in 168 patients using Kira alone was 21.3. This fell to 13 at endpoint (p < 0.001). The corresponding figures for 133 patients using Kira + light therapy were 20.6 and 11.8, respectively (p < 0.001). In both groups, there was significant improvement in anxiety, loss of libido and insomnia. There were no significant between-group differences on any measure except that improvement in sleep was greater in the Kira + light group (p < 0.01). On the results of this survey, Hypericum would appear to be an effective treatment for SAD.
authors.affiliation: Feighner Research Institute, Charter Chelsea Clinic, London, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wheatley
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D020448:Ericales / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016574:Seasonal Affective Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts