Bright light treatment as mono-therapy of non-seasonal depression for 28 adolescents.
BACKGROUND
Bright light therapy, an effective therapeutic option for depressive adults, could provide safe, economic, and effective rapid recovery also in adolescents.


METHODS
Twenty-eight volunteers, between 14 and 17 years old and suffering from mild depressive disorder according to DSM-IV criteria, completed the study. This was a randomized cross-over trial, i.e. that 14 patients received first placebo (50 lux) for 1 h a day for 1 week and then bright light therapy (2,500 Lux) for 1 week. Fourteen patients received first bright light therapy and then placebo. For assessment of depressive symptoms, Beck's depression inventory scales were administered 1 week before and 1 day before placebo treatment, on the day between placebo and verum treatment, on the day after verum treatment and 1 week after verum treatment. Saliva melatonin and cortisol samples were collected at 08:00 and 20:00 h, 1 week before and 1 day before placebo treatment, on the day between placebo and verum treatment, on the day after verum treatment and 1 week after verum treatment and assayed for melatonin and cortisol to observe any change in circadian timing.


RESULTS
BDI scores improved significantly. The assays of saliva showed significant differences between treatment and placebo. No significant adverse reactions were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Antidepressant response to bright light treatment in this age group was statistically superior to placebo.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Saechsisches Krankenhaus Rodewisch, Rodewisch, Germany. helmutniederhofer@yahoo.de
Helmut
H
Niederhofer
Kai
K
von Klitzing
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010919:Placebos; D008550:Melatonin; D006854:Hydrocortisone