Side effects of light therapy in seasonal affective disorder

Levitt, A J; Joffe, Russell T.; Moul, Douglas E.; Lam, Raymond W.; Teicher, Martin H.; Lebegue, Breck; Murray, Megan G.; Oren, Dan A.; Schwartz, Paul J.; Buchanan, Alan

doi:10.1176/ajp.150.4.650

Cited by 59 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…This discrepancy may be due to any of the three principal methodological differences from the aforementioned studies – a single exposure, comparison to a dim light control, and a sample of healthy young adults. However, the current results are highly consistent with the only other placebo-controlled study of adverse LT effects [41] in the extant literature. As in the present investigation, Volz and colleagues observed no significant differences in the side effects engendered by bright light versus dim red light.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Interestingly, this study observed no significant differences in side effects between the LT and placebo groups, although it is worth noting that the dosage of light was considerably lower than that most commonly prescribed in contemporary practice. One additional study [41] examined the side effects of a head-mounted visor that delivered white light at illuminance levels of 60 lux, 600 lux, or 3500 lux, respectively. We do not regard this as an adequate test of LT effects, however, in as much as it utilized a non-standard light delivery method (visor) with considerably less empirical support.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Acute Side Effects of Bright Light Therapy: A Placebo-Controlled Investigation

Botanov

Ilardi

2013

PLoS ONE

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Despite the emergence of numerous clinical and non-clinical applications of bright light therapy (LT) in recent decades, the prevalence and severity of LT side effects have not yet been fully explicated. A few adverse LT effects—headache, eye strain, irritability, and nausea—have been consistently reported among depressed individuals and other psychiatric cohorts, but there exists little published evidence regarding LT side effects in non-clinical populations, who often undergo LT treatment of considerably briefer duration. Accordingly, in the present study we examined, in a randomized sample of healthy young adults, the acute side effects of exposure to a single 30-minute session of bright white light (10,000 lux) versus dim red light (< 500 lux). Across a broad range of potential side effects, repeated-measures analyses of variance revealed no significant group-by-time (Pre, Post) interactions. In other words, bright light exposure was not associated with a significantly higher incidence of any reported side effect than was the placebo control condition. Nevertheless, small but statistically significant increases in both eye strain and blurred vision were observed among both the LT and control groups. Overall, these results suggest that the relatively common occurrence of adverse side effects observed in the extant LT literature may not fully extend to non-clinical populations, especially for healthy young adults undergoing LT for a brief duration.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Acute Side Effects of Bright Light Therapy: A Placebo-Controlled Investigation

Botanov

Ilardi

2013

PLoS ONE

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“…More specifically, the possibility exist of hypomanic switch in patients with BD with possible symptoms such as tachypsychia, logorrhea, increased energy and activity, irritability or aggression [27,48]. The other rare side effects of light therapy are: headache, eye strain, nausea and agitation [38,49,50]. In addition, despite traditionnal precautions in BLT studies including what we planned for this LuBi study, there does not seem to be any retinal toxicity associated with light therapy [51].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bright Light Therapy in the Morning or at Mid-Day in the Treatment of Non-Seasonal Bipolar Depressive Episodes (LuBi): Study Protocol for a Dose Research Phase I / II Trial

Geoffroy

Abbassi

Maruani

et al. 2018

Psychiatry Investig

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ObjectiveThis study protocol aims to determine, using a rigorous approach in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and non-seasonal major depressive episode (MDE), the characteristics of bright light therapy (BLT) administration (duration, escalation, morning and mid-day exposures) depending on the tolerance (hypomanic symptoms). MethodsPatients with BD I or II and treated by a mood stabilizer are eligible. After 1 week of placebo, patients are randomized between either morning or mid-day exposure for 10 weeks of active BLT with glasses using a dose escalation at 7.5, 10, 15, 30 and 45 minutes/day. A further follow-up visit is planned 6 months after inclusion. Patients will be included by cohorts of 3, with at least 3 days of delay between them, and 1 week between cohorts. If none meet a dose limiting toxicity (DLT; i.e hypomanic symptoms), the initiation dose of the next cohort will be increased. If one patient meet a DLT, an additionnal cohort will start at the same dose. If 2 or 3 patients meet a DLT, from the same cohort or from two cohorts at the same dose initiation, the maximum tolerated dose is defined. This dose escalation will also take into account DLTs observed during the intra-subject escalation on previous cohorts, with a “Target Ceiling Dose” defined if 2 DLTs occured at a dose. DiscussionUsing an innovative and more ergonomic device in the form of glasses, this study aims to better codify the use of BLT in BD to ensure a good initiation and tolerance. Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03396744.

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“…Regularly reported side effects are mild visual complaints, nausea, dizziness and headaches, tired eyes, agitation, sleep disturbances, or, very rarely, (hypo) manic decompensation 23,101,102. (Relative) contraindications are preexisting retinal diseases, the use of photosensitizing drugs, and recent eye surgery 23.…”

Section: Light Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal affective disorder, winter type: current insights and treatment options

Meesters¹,

Gordijn²

2016

PRBM

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Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), winter type, is a seasonal pattern of recurrent major depressive episodes most commonly occurring in autumn or winter and remitting in spring/summer. The syndrome has been well-known for more than three decades, with light treatment being the treatment of first choice. In this paper, an overview is presented of the present insights in SAD. Description of the syndrome, etiology, and treatment options are mentioned. Apart from light treatment, medication and psychotherapy are other treatment options. The predictable, repetitive nature of the syndrome makes it possible to discuss preventive treatment options. Furthermore, critical views on the concept of SAD as a distinct diagnosis are discussed.

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Side effects of light therapy in seasonal affective disorder

Cited by 59 publications

References 3 publications

The Acute Side Effects of Bright Light Therapy: A Placebo-Controlled Investigation

The Acute Side Effects of Bright Light Therapy: A Placebo-Controlled Investigation

Bright Light Therapy in the Morning or at Mid-Day in the Treatment of Non-Seasonal Bipolar Depressive Episodes (LuBi): Study Protocol for a Dose Research Phase I / II Trial

Seasonal affective disorder, winter type: current insights and treatment options

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