Ms. Bauer et al., MOOD AND BEHAVIORAL-EFFECTS OF 4-WEEK LIGHT TREATMENT IN WINTER DEPRESSIVES AND CONTROLS, Journal of Psychiatric Research, 28(2), 1994, pp. 135-145
This study investigated (1) the time-course and durability of antidepr
essant effects of bright light in winter depressives, and (2) the effe
cts of bright light on mood and behavior in normal controls in a 4-wee
k open treatment paradigm. Twelve subjects in a major depressive episo
de during recurrent major depressive or bipolar disorder with seasonal
pattern and 12 control subjects received 2,500 lux light between 0600
and 0800 hours, while 12 controls arose at 0600 hours for quiet activ
ities without exposure to bright light. In depressives, maximal decrem
ents in depression ratings were not reached until the fourth week Of t
reatment. Four depressives experienced clinically significant hypomani
c symptoms. Controls treated with light demonstrated significantly hig
her clinician ratings of hypomanic symptoms than no-light controls. Wh
en depressives and controls were combined. seasonality, but not diagno
sis, predicted the emergence of manic-like symptoms. Implications for
bright light treatment in the clinical setting are discussed.