title: Reading increases ocular illuminance during light treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bright-light treatment is a safe and effective treatment for the management of winter seasonal affective disorder (SAD). In a recent study, we found that the relative duration of reading was positively associated with likelihood of remission after six weeks of light treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two technicians measured the illuminance of a light box with a light meter directed towards the center of reading material that was placed on a table in front of the light box. The measurement was also performed after reading material was removed. The two measurements were performed in a randomized order. Friedman analysis of variance with Wilcoxon post-hoc tests were used to compare illuminance with vs. without reading.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The presence of the reading material increased illuminance by 470.93 lux (95% CI 300.10-641.75), p<0.0001.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is a technical report done under conditions intended to mimic those of typical ambulatory light treatment as much as possible.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As reading materials reflect light from the light box, reading during light therapy increases ocular illuminance. If confirmed by future studies using continuous recordings in randomized design, instructing SAD patients to read during light therapy may contribute to a more complete response to light treatment. The downside of specific relevance for students, is that reading, in particular, with bright light in the late evening/early night may induce or worsen circadian phase delay, adversely affecting health and functioning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Mood and Anxiety Program, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
authors.forename: Aamar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sleemi
authors.forename: Mary A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Kelly J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Rohan
authors.forename: Olaoluwa
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Okusaga
authors.forename: Timileyin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Adediran
authors.forename: Hyacinth
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Uzoma
authors.forename: Chantelle
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reeves
authors.forename: Teodor T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Postolache
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005133:Eye Movements; D006801:Humans; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011932:Reading; D016574:Seasonal Affective Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome