Light therapy for seasonal affective disorder in primary care

Wileman, Samantha; Eagles, John M.; Andrew, Jane; Howie, F. L.; Cameron, Isobel M.; McCormack, Kirsty; Naji, Simon Alexander

doi:10.1192/bjp.178.4.311

Cited by 47 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Although our meta-analysis showed that exposures to high levels of negative ions was associated with a significant improvement in rated depression severity as measured using SIGH-SAD, a primary metric for both seasonal and non-seasonal depression [4,43-46], and a lack of statistical heterogeneity across study results in the high-density analysis was observed, the findings should be cautiously interpreted. First, this body of work typically did not control for or failed to report on environmental factors affecting exposure including the electric field, air flow, humidity, and temperature.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

Air ions and mood outcomes: a review and meta-analysis

2013

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BackgroundPsychological effects of air ions have been reported for more than 80 years in the media and scientific literature. This study summarizes a qualitative literature review and quantitative meta-analysis, where applicable, that examines the potential effects of exposure to negative and positive air ions on psychological measures of mood and emotional state.MethodsA structured literature review was conducted to identify human experimental studies published through August, 2012. Thirty-three studies (1957–2012) evaluating the effects of air ionization on depression, anxiety, mood states, and subjective feelings of mental well-being in humans were included. Five studies on negative ionization and depression (measured using a structured interview guide) were evaluated by level of exposure intensity (high vs. low) using meta-analysis.ResultsConsistent ionization effects were not observed for anxiety, mood, relaxation/sleep, and personal comfort. In contrast, meta-analysis results showed that negative ionization, overall, was significantly associated with lower depression ratings, with a stronger association observed at high levels of negative ion exposure (mean summary effect and 95% confidence interval (CI) following high- and low-density exposure: 14.28 (95% CI: 12.93-15.62) and 7.23 (95% CI: 2.62-11.83), respectively). The response to high-density ionization was observed in patients with seasonal or chronic depression, but an effect of low-density ionization was observed only in patients with seasonal depression. However, no relationship between the duration or frequency of ionization treatment on depression ratings was evident.ConclusionsNo consistent influence of positive or negative air ionization on anxiety, mood, relaxation, sleep, and personal comfort measures was observed. Negative air ionization was associated with lower depression scores particularly at the highest exposure level. Future research is needed to evaluate the biological plausibility of this association.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

Air ions and mood outcomes: a review and meta-analysis

2013

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“…Results range from improved recovery from surgery (Ulrich, 1984;Ulrich, Lunden, & Eltinge, 1993), lowered pain of burn patients (Miller, Hickman, & Lemasters, 1992), enhanced recovery from stress, as measured by lowered blood pressure, muscle tension, skin conductance and self-reported feelings (Hartig & Evans, 1993;Parsons, 1998;Ulrich et al, 1991), reduced depression (Genhart, 1993;Wileman, 2001) and improved sleep (Campbell, 1993;Partonen, 1994). Unfortunately, empirical scientific research on the impact of outdoor spaces-or time spent outdoors-for people with dementia is limited.…”

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confidence: 99%

Effect of Increased Time Spent Outdoors on Individuals with Dementia Residing in Nursing Homes

Calkins

Szmerekovsky

Biddle

2007

Journal of Housing For the Elderly

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There is growing evidence that exposure to bright light may improve circadian rhythms in individuals with dementia residing in shared residential settings. The vast majority of this research uses electric bright light boxes. However, the outdoor environment not only provides exposure to bright light but to natural elements which have been shown to have a restorative effect across a broad range of situations. Previous research that sought to explore the impact of time spent outdoors on sleep and/or agitation in individuals with dementia was hampered by low time spent outdoors. This project, conducted in three nursing homes (n = 17), used actigraphy, validated proxy measures of sleep and agitation and direct observation to explore the impact of increased time outdoors on sleep and agitation. The repeated measures design assessed residents with dementia under four conditions: winter/no activity, winter/inside activity, summer/no activity and summer/outside activity. Re-Margaret Calkins, PhD, is President, IDEAAS Inc. and Board Chair, IDEAS Institute,

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“…Although our meta-analysis showed that exposures to high levels of negative ions was associated with a significant improvement in rated depression severity as measured using SIGH-SAD, a primary metric for both seasonal and non-seasonal depression [4,[43][44][45][46], and a lack of statistical heterogeneity across study results in the high-density analysis was observed, the findings should be cautiously interpreted. First, this body of work typically did not control for or failed to report on environmental factors affecting exposure including the electric field, air flow, humidity, and temperature.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 60%

Air Ions and Mood Outcomes: a Review and Metaanalysis

Pérez

Alexander

Bailey

2012

Annals of Epidemiology

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Background: Psychological effects of air ions have been reported for more than 80 years in the media and scientific literature. This study summarizes a qualitative literature review and quantitative meta-analysis, where applicable, that examines the potential effects of exposure to negative and positive air ions on psychological measures of mood and emotional state. Methods: A structured literature review was conducted to identify human experimental studies published through August, 2012. Thirty-three studies evaluating the effects of air ionization on depression, anxiety, mood states, and subjective feelings of mental well-being in humans were included. Five studies on negative ionization and depression (measured using a structured interview guide) were evaluated by level of exposure intensity (high vs. low) using meta-analysis. Results: Consistent ionization effects were not observed for anxiety, mood, relaxation/sleep, and personal comfort. In contrast, meta-analysis results showed that negative ionization, overall, was significantly associated with lower depression ratings, with a stronger association observed at high levels of negative ion exposure (mean summary effect and 95% confidence interval (CI) following high-and low-density exposure: 14.28 (95% CI: 12.93-15.62) and 7.23 (95% CI: 2.62-11.83), respectively). The response to high-density ionization was observed in patients with seasonal or chronic depression, but an effect of low-density ionization was observed only in patients with seasonal depression. However, no relationship between the duration or frequency of ionization treatment on depression ratings was evident.

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Light therapy for seasonal affective disorder in primary care

Abstract: Primary care patients with seasonal affective disorder improve after light therapy, but bright white light is not associated with greater improvements.

Cited by 47 publications

References 24 publications

Air ions and mood outcomes: a review and meta-analysis

Air ions and mood outcomes: a review and meta-analysis

Effect of Increased Time Spent Outdoors on Individuals with Dementia Residing in Nursing Homes

Air Ions and Mood Outcomes: a Review and Metaanalysis

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