Can transcranial brain-targeted bright light treatment via ear canals be effective in relieving symptoms in seasonal affective disorder? – A pilot study

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markku Timonen ◽  
Juuso Nissilä ◽  
Anu Liettu ◽  
Jari Jokelainen ◽  
Heidi Jurvelin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Bright Light ◽  
Light Treatment ◽  
Ear Canals ◽  
Bright Light Treatment

Prevention of winter seasonal affective disorder by bright-light treatment

1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1075-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timo Partonen ◽  
Jouko Lönnqvist
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Depressive Episode ◽  
Prophylactic Treatment ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Bright Light ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Light Treatment ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Bright Light Treatment

SynopsisIn patients with winter seasonal affective disorder (SAD) the onset of a depressive episode is probably associated with the decreasing amount of light during the autumn. A highly predictable onset of a recurrent depressive episode with seasonal pattern provides a rationale for testing the efficacy of bright-light treatment as a preventive measure. Twelve out-patients with winter SAD were assigned to start bright light treatment either when they were well, or not to start it until the first symptoms of depression had already emerged. The severity of depressive symptoms was prospectively rated for a parallel randomized comparison. Bright light given well in advance of the emerging symptoms prevented a depressive episode. Clinical remission was significantly more frequent in the former subgroup of the patients in January and in March. To sum up, bright light can be successfully administered as prophylactic treatment for the prevention of winter SAD.

Will light brighten the future of the depressed patient?

1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.H. Van Den Hoofdakker ◽  
M.C.M. Gordijn
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Bright Light ◽  
Light Treatment ◽  
Psychosocial Variable ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Treatment Experiment ◽  
History Of ◽  
Therapeutic Possibilities

The present explosive growth of interest in the therapeutic possibilities of exposure to light was triggered by a patient, Herbert Kern. He suffered from episodic depressive and manic complaints and discovered, by registering these over the years, a seasonal pattern in their occurrence. Discussions with scientists of the NIMH resulted in his participation in a bright light-treatment experiment when he was depressed in the winter of 1980-1981. He recovered.Next, the same group of investigators defined the criteria for a new syndrome, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): a history of major affective disorder (according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria), at least two consecutive years in which the depressions have occurred during fall or winter and remitted in the following spring or summer, and the absence of any clear-cut seasonally changing psychosocial variable, such as work, stress and so on.

Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder with Light: Preliminary Australian Experience

1989 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 369-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iain M. McIntyre ◽  
Stuart M. Armstrong ◽  
Trevor R. Norman ◽  
Graham D. Burrows
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Bright Light ◽  
Light Treatment ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Full Spectrum ◽  
Significant Clinical Improvement ◽  
History Of ◽  
Australian Experience

Six patients with a history of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) were treated with bright artificial light. Patients presented with at least two consecutive years of loss of energy, difficulty in working, loss of interest in activities, difficulty in concentrating, increased somnolence, over-eating (carbohydrate craving) and depressed mood. All received seven consecutive days of full-spectrum bright light with an intensity greater than 2,500 lux at a distance of three feet. Evening exposure for two hours resulted in significant clinical improvement. The main improvements were a return to normal sleeping patterns, a reduction in eating habits, improved energy level, a desire to continue with interests and activities and an improvement in mood. Possible mechanisms for the clinical effects of bright light treatment are discussed.

scholarly journals A placebo‐controlled pilot study of a wearable morning bright light treatment for probable PTSD

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 617-624
Author(s):  
Alyson K. Zalta ◽  
Karyna Bravo ◽  
Zerbrina Valdespino‐Hayden ◽  
Mark H. Pollack ◽  
Helen J. Burgess
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Bright Light ◽  
Light Treatment ◽  
Bright Light Treatment

The effects of bright light treatment via ear canals on quality of sleep and depressive mood among overworked employees: A randomized-controlled clinical trial

Work ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-329
Author(s):  
Tetsu Kinoshita ◽  
Takeshi Tanigawa ◽  
Koutatsu Maruyama ◽  
Kanehisa Morimoto
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Sleep Disorder ◽  
Early Treatment ◽  
Bright Light ◽  
Depressive Mood ◽  
Light Treatment ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Ear Canals ◽  
Observation Period ◽  
Bright Light Treatment

BACKGROUND: Many overworked employees need tools to improve their depressive mood or sleep disorder. In Finland, a new device of bright light therapy was developed. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate the effect of bright light treatment via ear canals on improving the depressive mood and sleep disorder. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, controlled, crossover designed, open-label trial. We examined 27 participants aged 23–52 years, assigned to either Early treatment or Later treatment groups. The Early treatment group used the device on weekdays for the first 4 weeks, followed by a 4-week observation period. The Later treatment group had an observation period for the first 4 weeks, followed by device treatment for the subsequent 4 weeks. Every Friday, the participants were asked to answer questionnaires: A Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), an Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and a Profile of Mood States (POMS) Brief Form. RESULTS: While no significant effect was found on the SDS following treatment (p = 0.16), the AIS showed a significant improvement (p = 0.004), and the scores for the Depression (D) and Vigor (V) of POMs decreased significantly (p = 0.045, p = 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Bright light treatment via ear canals may improve sleep quality and depressive mood.

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