LIGHT THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH RAPID-CYCLING BIPOLAR DISORDER - PRELIMINARY-RESULTS

Nine patients with rapid cycling bipolar disorder were treated with a total of 13 trials of bright light therapy in the morning (n=5), eveni ng (n=3), or midday (n=5). In each instance, the patient's mood rating s during 3 months of light therapy (added to a stable medication regim en) were compared to his or her mood ratings during 3 months on the sa me medication but without light treatment. Of the 3 light therapy sche dules, only midday lights appeared to have beneficial clinical effects , improving mood ratings in 3 patients. In contrast, the morning light therapy trial was terminated prematurely in 3 patients because of cli nical instability. Light treatment was better tolerated if patients di scontinued it on days when they were hypomanic. The clinical and theor etical implications of these preliminary findings are discussed.