Reducing symptoms in women with chronic anorexia nervosa. A pilot study on the effects of bright light therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of bright light therapy on the sleep-wake rhythm, the menstrual cycle, mood, and key eating pathology symptoms in chronic anorexia nervosa.


METHODS
Five chronic anorectic women (mean duration of illness: 15.3 years) received 5 daily sessions of 30 minutes bright light therapy (10,000 LUX). Participants completed a diagnostic interview and questionnaires at pre-test, post-test and at a three month follow-up.


RESULTS
At follow up there was a slight improvement on core eating pathology, a fair decrease of depressive symptoms and an clinically important improvement on global distress.


CONCLUSIONS
Bright light therapy has on short term a positive effect on the physiological and psychological well being of chronic anorectic women. However, at follow-up the effects were partly lost. It is recommended to enhance the exposure period and repeat the treatment after 3 months.
Daansen
Peter J
PJ
PsyQ Haaglanden, ParnassiaBavo Group, Department of Eating Disorders and Obesity, The Hague, The Netherlands. p.daansen@psyq.nl
Haffmans
Judith
J
D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020922:Sleep-Wake Transition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy