Leo Sher, M.D.

A research paper, “Bright light therapy for nonseasonal depressive disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis” has been published in JAMA Psychiatry online ahead of print (1).

Researchers from Brazil performed a search of publications in the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases for randomized clinical trials evaluating bright light therapy effects in patients with nonseasonal depression. Bright light therapy was defined as white light at 5000 to 10,000 lux for 30 minutes and longer. Randomized clinical trials published since 2000 were eligible for inclusion in the study. Comparisons between bright light therapy and dim red light or antidepressant monotherapy alone were considered for inclusion.

In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 unique trials with data from 858 patients (649 female [75.6%]), statistically significant better remission and response rates were found in the bright light therapy group (remission: 40.7% vs 23.5%; odds ratio [OR], 2.42; 95% CI, 1.50-3.91; P <.001; I2 = 21%; response: 60.4% vs 38.6%; OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.46-3.75; P <.001; I2 = 41%). With bright light therapy, subgroup analysis based on follow-up times also showed better remission (<4 weeks: 27.4% vs 9.2%; OR, 3.59; 95% CI, 1.45-8.88; P = .005; I2 = 0% and >4 weeks: 46.6% vs 29.1%; OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.19-4.00; P = .01; I2 = 47%) and response (<4 weeks: 55.6% vs 27.4%; OR, 3.65; 95% CI, 1.81-7.33; P <.001; I2 = 35% and >4 weeks: 63.0% vs 44.9%; OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.01-3.17; P = .04; I2 = 32%) rates.

The authors suggest that results of this systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that bright light therapy was an effective adjunctive treatment for nonseasonal depressive disorders. Additionally, results suggest that bright light therapy may improve the response time to the initial treatment.

Reference

1. Menegaz de Almeida A, Aquino de Moraes FC, Cavalcanti Souza ME, Cavalcanti Orestes Cardoso JH, Tamashiro F, Miranda C, Fernandes L, Kreuz M, Alves Kelly F. Bright Light Therapy for Nonseasonal Depressive Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Psychiatry. 2024 Oct 2:e242871. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.2871. Epub ahead of print.