title: Randomized Trial of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Versus Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder: Acute Outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Whereas considerable evidence supports light therapy for winter seasonal affective disorder (SAD), data on cognitive-behavioral therapy for SAD (CBT-SAD) are promising but preliminary. This study estimated the difference between CBT-SAD and light therapy outcomes in a large, more definitive test.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants were 177 adults with a current episode of major depression that was recurrent with a seasonal pattern. The randomized clinical trial compared 6 weeks of CBT-SAD (N=88) and light therapy (N=89). Light therapy consisted of 10,000-lux cool-white florescent light, initiated at 30 minutes each morning and adjusted according to a treatment algorithm based on response and side effects. CBT-SAD comprised 12 sessions of the authors' SAD-tailored protocol in a group format and was administered by Ph.D. psychologists in two 90-minute sessions per week. Outcomes were continuous scores on the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression-SAD Version (SIGH-SAD, administered weekly) and Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II, administered before treatment, at week 3, and after treatment) and posttreatment remission status based on cut points.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Depression severity measured with the SIGH-SAD and BDI-II improved significantly and comparably with CBT-SAD and light therapy. Having a baseline comorbid diagnosis was associated with higher depression scores across all time points in both treatments. CBT-SAD and light therapy did not differ in remission rates based on the SIGH-SAD (47.6% and 47.2%, respectively) or the BDI-II (56.0% and 63.6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CBT-SAD and light therapy are comparably effective for SAD during an acute episode, and both may be considered as treatment options.
authors: From the Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, and the Department of Medical Biostatistics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vt.; the Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore; and Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 5, Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Baltimore, and VISN 19 Rocky Mountain MIRECC, Denver.
authors: Kelly J
authors: KJ
authors: Rohan
authors: From the Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, and the Department of Medical Biostatistics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vt.; the Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore; and Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 5, Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Baltimore, and VISN 19 Rocky Mountain MIRECC, Denver.
authors: Jennifer N
authors: JN
authors: Mahon
authors: From the Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, and the Department of Medical Biostatistics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vt.; the Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore; and Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 5, Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Baltimore, and VISN 19 Rocky Mountain MIRECC, Denver.
authors: Maggie
authors: M
authors: Evans
authors: From the Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, and the Department of Medical Biostatistics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vt.; the Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore; and Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 5, Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Baltimore, and VISN 19 Rocky Mountain MIRECC, Denver.
authors: Sheau-Yan
authors: SY
authors: Ho
authors: From the Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, and the Department of Medical Biostatistics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vt.; the Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore; and Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 5, Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Baltimore, and VISN 19 Rocky Mountain MIRECC, Denver.
authors: Jonah
authors: J
authors: Meyerhoff
authors: From the Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, and the Department of Medical Biostatistics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vt.; the Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore; and Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 5, Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Baltimore, and VISN 19 Rocky Mountain MIRECC, Denver.
authors: Teodor T
authors: TT
authors: Postolache
authors: From the Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, and the Department of Medical Biostatistics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vt.; the Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore; and Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 5, Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Baltimore, and VISN 19 Rocky Mountain MIRECC, Denver.
authors: Pamela M
authors: PM
authors: Vacek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016574:Seasonal Affective Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome