Dose response to adjunctive light therapy in citalopram-treated patients with post-stroke depression. A randomised, double-blind pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Post-stroke depression affects the outcome of stroke rehabilitation and is observed in approximately 30% of all stroke patients. We investigated whether the addition of light treatment to medical antidepressants influences the course of depression as measured by the Hamilton Depression Scale.


METHODS
The effect of a combination of light therapy and citalopram in stroke victims receiving citalopram was examined by use of two different doses of light therapy under double-blind conditions. Altogether, 63 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 74.9 years.


RESULTS
After 4 weeks of therapy, the 6-item subscale of the Hamilton Depression Scale showed a statistically significantly larger improvement in patients receiving high-intensity light treatment compared to those treated with medium-intensity light (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study demonstrates a dose response effect of light used as an adjunct therapy to antidepressants in post-stroke patients with major depression.
Søndergaard
M P
MP
Stroke Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Amager, Copenhagen, Denmark. mette.sondergaard@ah.hosp.dk
Jarden
J O
JO
Martiny
K
K
Andersen
G
G
Bech
P
P
D000368:Aged; D015283:Citalopram / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*
D015283:Citalopram; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors