MedPath

Blue Enriched Versus Standard Light Treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD)

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Interventions
Device: Original Energy Light prototype
Device: Original Energy Light,
Registration Number
NCT01048294
Lead Sponsor
University Medical Center Groningen
Brief Summary

One of the most frequently investigated hypothesis of the pathophysiology underlying Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD) or so called winterdepression is a disturbance of circadian rhythms. Since the circadian system is especially sensitive for the blue portion of the light spectrum, a new light therapy device with more blue light (blue enriched polychromatic light) was tested for its efficacy to treat SAD. In chronobiological terms this light is hypothesized to be more potent in inducing non-visual effects. In the present study fluorescent tubes that emit a high portion of short wavelength light on top of the normal wavelengths are tested for its superiority in treating SAD. This blue-enriched light (colour temperature 17000 ºK) is compared to standard light treatment (5000 º K) in SAD patients., The investigators hypothesise that blue- enriched light improve the therapeutic effects of light treatment leading to a higher response or the same response in a shorter time schedule compared to standard light treatment.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
52
Inclusion Criteria
  • age 18-65;
  • diagnosis of Seasonal affective Disorder, winter type according to DSM-IV;
  • SIGH SAD rating higher then or equal to 18 on day 1;
  • no other treatments for mood disorder during the study
  • stay in the Netherlands during the study
Exclusion Criteria
  • other Axis 1 disorder according to DSM-IV
  • acute suicide risk
  • use of psychotropic drugs or photosensitizing drugs
  • eye diseases other then usual effect of aging
  • diabetes or epilepsy
  • regular shift work

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Blue enriched light treatment 30 minOriginal Energy Light prototype30 minutes of Blue enriched light treatment (color 17000K)
Standard Light TreatmentOriginal Energy Light,30 min of Standard bright light treatment (color 5000K)
Blue enriched Light treatment 20 minOriginal Energy Light prototype20 minutes of Blue enriched light treatment (color 17000K)
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
SIGH SAD depression observer ratingdays 1, 8, 15, 22
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
selfrating of depressive moodonce daily during 22 days

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen

🇳🇱

Groningen, Netherlands

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath