Main Research Findings

Light therapy is a well-established treatment for patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). However, the efficacy of light therapy in treating patients with non-seasonal depression remains inconclusive. 7 . Light therapy has become an accepted treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), but there have been few studies about adverse effects from using this treatment. 2 . Light therapy is thought to work through various mechanisms, including the synchronization of biological rhythms and the increase of serotonin transmission in the human brain.. Bright light therapy (BLT) is considered an effective, well-tolerated treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) for 30 years. Because of low response rates, new treatment strategies are needed for bipolar depression (BD), which resembles SAD in certain respects. Few placebo-controlled studies of BLT efficacy have been carried out for BD. Accordingly, this study evaluates the efficacy and safety of BLT as an add-on treatment for BD. Thirty-two BD outpatients were randomly assigned to BLT (10000lx) or dim light (DL, < 500lx). During a two-week period, light was administered each morning for 30min. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Montgomery-Ǻsberg Depression Rating Scale assessed clinical outcome, and the UKU Side Effects Rating Scale evaluated side effects. No significant difference was observed in baseline depression scores in the two groups. Response rates for BLT and DL were 81% and 19%, and remission rates were 44% and 12.5%, respectively. Analyses showed statistically significant reductions in depression scores for the BLT group compared with the DL group on all scales. Side effects were similar in both groups, with headache as the most common side effect.. The most common procedure of phototherapy is to expose the subject during 2 hours early in the morning, between 06:00 and 09:00 AM. The subject is sitting before a light screen, he can work and has to fix the screen one time every minute.. With the evaluated light cabin the most prominent short-term side effects of BLT can be minimized, enhancing patients' adherence.. Light therapy has become an increasingly popular treatment for depression and a range of other neuropsychiatric conditions. 8 . Light therapy is regarded to be an effective treatment against seasonal depression (SAD). Conventional BLT devices are reported to evoke few, but inconvenient symptoms. This study evaluated side effects associated with a new technology for BLT in a healthy population.. There is a need for more knowledge on the effects of light room treatment in patients with seasonal affective disorder and to explore patients' subjective experience of the disease and the treatment.. Seasonal and non-seasonal depression are prevalent conditions in visual impairment (VI). We assessed the effects and side effects of light therapy in persons with severe VI/blindness who experienced recurrent depressive symptoms in winter corresponding to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or subsyndromal SAD (sSAD).. Bright light therapy for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) has been investigated and applied for over 20 years. Physicians and clinicians are increasingly confident that bright light therapy is a potent, specifically active, nonpharmaceutical treatment modality. Indeed, the domain of light treatment is moving beyond SAD, to nonseasonal depression (unipolar and bipolar), seasonal flare-ups of bulimia nervosa, circadian sleep phase disorders, and more. Light therapy is simple to deliver to outpatients and inpatients alike, although the optimum dosing of light and treatment time of day requires individual adjustment. The side-effect profile is favorable in comparison with medications, although the clinician must remain vigilant about emergent hypomania and autonomic hyperactivation, especially during the first few days of treatment. Importantly, light therapy provides a compatible adjunct to antidepressant medication, which can result in accelerated improvement and fewer residual symptoms.. This study evaluated the effectiveness of 30 or 60min of daily exposure to high-density or to zero-density (placebo condition) negative air ions over 18 days on the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in 40 participants under controlled laboratory conditions. Exposure to high-density negative air ions was superior to zero-density negative air ions in alleviating depression and the atypical symptoms of SAD. Also, more subjects in the high-density negative air ions groups met two different clinical response criteria than did those in the zero-density groups. Within the high density treatment group, both the short and long daily exposure reduced SAD symptoms. Exposure to negative air ions produced no negative side effects, and no ozone was produced by the ion generators. In both the high-density negative air ions and zero-density negative air ions groups, a significant placebo effect was found for most clinical measures. Finally, for the high-density negative air ion groups, subjects with a morningness chronotype responded better to treatment with high-density negative air ions than did those with an eveningness chronotype..

Reasons for Side Effects

Side effects of light therapy may occur due to excessive exposure to light. Excessive exposure to light can cause symptoms such as headache, eye strain, and insomnia.. Additionally, light therapy works by adjusting the body clock, and disruptions to the body clock can lead to side effects such as mood swings and sleep disturbances..

Common Side Effects

Headache

Headache is a common side effect of light therapy.. Headaches are more common at the beginning of light therapy.. Higher intensity light therapy may be associated with an increased likelihood of headaches..

Eye Strain

Eye strain is a common side effect of light therapy.. Eye strain is more common at the beginning of light therapy.. Higher intensity light therapy may be associated with an increased likelihood of eye strain..

Fatigue

Fatigue is a common side effect of light therapy.. Fatigue is more common at the beginning of light therapy.. Higher intensity light therapy may be associated with an increased likelihood of fatigue..

Mood Swings

Mood swings can occur as a side effect of light therapy.. Since light therapy works by adjusting the body clock, disruptions to the body clock can lead to mood swings..

Sleep Disturbances

Sleep disturbances can occur as a side effect of light therapy.. Since light therapy works by adjusting the body clock, disruptions to the body clock can lead to sleep disturbances..

Other Side Effects

Other side effects of light therapy that have been reported include nausea, indigestion, sweating, dizziness, palpitations, visual disturbances, anxiety, nervousness, and manic episodes.. Since light therapy stimulates serotonin activity, using it concurrently with serotonin-related medications could cause side effects such as indigestion, fever, nausea, and confusion. 4 .

Managing Side Effects

Headache

If you experience headaches, you can try reducing the intensity of light therapy or changing the time of day when you use it to alleviate the symptoms.. Taking pain relievers may also be effective..

Eye Strain

If you experience eye strain, you can try reducing the intensity of light therapy or changing the time of day when you use it to alleviate the symptoms.. Using eye drops for eye strain or resting your eyes can also be helpful..

Fatigue

If you experience fatigue, you can try reducing the intensity of light therapy or changing the time of day when you use it to alleviate the symptoms.. Getting enough sleep and paying attention to your diet can also be effective..

Mood Swings

If you experience mood swings, you may need to discontinue light therapy or reduce its intensity..

Sleep Disturbances

If you experience sleep disturbances, you may need to discontinue light therapy or reduce its intensity.. Taking sleep medications can also be helpful..

Comparison of Studies

Commonalities

Many studies have shown that light therapy is effective in treating SAD. 2 . Light therapy is generally considered a safe treatment. 2 . Light therapy can cause side effects such as headaches, eye strain, and fatigue..

Differences

The effects and side effects of light therapy can vary depending on the intensity, time of day, duration, and patient's condition..

Considerations for Real-Life Applications

Light therapy can be easily implemented at home.. However, it is important to consult with a doctor before starting light therapy.. Using light therapy without the guidance of a doctor can increase the risk of side effects..

Limitations of Current Research

The long-term effects of light therapy are not yet fully understood.. The safety of light therapy is not yet fully understood..

Future Research Directions

Research is needed on the long-term effects and safety of light therapy.. Research is needed to improve the efficacy of light therapy..

Conclusion

Light therapy is an effective treatment option for SAD.. While generally safe, light therapy can cause side effects.. Consulting with a doctor before starting light therapy is crucial..