Bright Light Therapy as Augmentation of Depressive Symptoms as Measured by Changes in Beck Depression Inventory, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and Outcome Questionnaire-45 on Acute Psychiatric Floor

Background:

Bright light therapy is an evidence-based treatment for seasonal depression (SAD), recently there is evidence that it has some efficacy in nonseasonal major depressive disorder (MDD) when used together with antidepressants.

BLT works via the patient's eyes through

1. Melanopsin (Intrinsic Photo receptor ganglion Cells)
2. Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN, master clock) which follows a rhythmic change
3. Serotonin

A number of studies showed seasonal changes in serotonergic parameters, including brain serotonin concentration and turnover. There were no research on using the BLT on the acute inpatient floor to augment the antidepressant treatment. Yet, there is a great need for such augmentation as for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) to take full effect 4-6 weeks needed. Moreover, patients with depression often do not spend enough time on the direct sun light, which exacerbate and prolong their depressed mood. The augmentation with the BLT on the acute psychiatric floor will help the antidepressant work, expedite the recovery, and potentially shortens the length of stay in the hospital, which in turn will lead to an economic saving and faster return of the patient into the community and to the workforce.