A controlled trial of the Litebook light-emitting diode (LED) light therapy device for treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Paul H. Desan; Andrea J. Weinstein; Erin E. Michalak; Edwin M. Tam; Ybe Meesters; Martine J. Ruiter; Edward Horn; John Telner; Hani Iskandar; Diane B. Boivin; Raymond W. Lam

doi:10.1186/1471-244X-7-38

A controlled trial of the Litebook light-emitting diode (LED) light therapy device for treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Paul H. Desan^*, Andrea J. Weinstein, Erin E. Michalak, Edwin M. Tam, Ybe Meesters, Martine J. Ruiter, Edward Horn, John Telner, Hani Iskandar, Diane B. Boivin, Raymond W. Lam

^*Corresponding author for this work

Faculty of Medical Sciences/UMCG

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

63 Citations (Scopus)

346 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: Recent research has emphasized that the human circadian rhythm system is differentially sensitive to short wavelength light. Light treatment devices using efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) whose output is relatively concentrated in short wavelengths may enable a more convenient effective therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Methods: The efficacy of a LED light therapy device in the treatment of SAD was tested in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial. Participants aged 18 to 65 with SAD (DSM-IV major depression with seasonal pattern) were seen at Baseline and Randomization visits separated by 1 week, and after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores (SIGH-SAD) were obtained at each visit. Participants with SIGH-SAD of 20 or greater at Baseline and Randomization visits were randomized to active or control treatment: exposure to the Litebook LED treatment device (The Litebook Company Ltd., Alberta, Canada) which delivers 1,350 lux white light ( with spectral emission peaks at 464 nm and 564 nm) at a distance of 20 inches or to an inactivated negative ion generator at a distance of 20 inches, for 30 minutes a day upon awakening and prior to 8 A. M.

Results: Of the 26 participants randomized, 23 completed the trial. Mean group SIGH-SAD scores did not differ significantly at randomization. At trial end, the proportions of participants in remission (SIGH-SAD less than 9) were significantly greater (Fisher's exact test), and SIGH-SAD scores, as percent individual score at randomization, were significantly lower (t-test), with active treatment than with control, both in an intent-to-treat analysis and an observed cases analysis. A longitudinal repeated measures ANOVA analysis of SIGH-SAD scores also indicated a significant interaction of time and treatment, showing superiority of the Litebook over the placebo condition.

Conclusion: The results of this pilot study support the hypothesis that light therapy with the Litebook is an effective treatment for SAD.

Original language	English
Article number	38
Number of pages	8
Journal	BMC Psychiatry
Volume	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-7-38
Publication status	Published - 7-Aug-2007

Keywords

WINTER DEPRESSION
BRIGHT LIGHT
ACTION SPECTRUM
MELATONIN
MECHANISM
PHOTORECEPTOR
SUPPRESSION
FLUOXETINE
EFFICACY
HUMANS

Access to Document

10.1186/1471-244X-7-38Licence: CC BY

A controlled trial of the Litebook light-emitting diode (LED) light therapy device for treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Final publisher's version, 243 KBLicence: CC BY

Handle.net

Persistent link

Cite this

@article{a26bc299752f484e822d60b19f1e2259,

title = "A controlled trial of the Litebook light-emitting diode (LED) light therapy device for treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)",

abstract = "Background: Recent research has emphasized that the human circadian rhythm system is differentially sensitive to short wavelength light. Light treatment devices using efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) whose output is relatively concentrated in short wavelengths may enable a more convenient effective therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).Methods: The efficacy of a LED light therapy device in the treatment of SAD was tested in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial. Participants aged 18 to 65 with SAD (DSM-IV major depression with seasonal pattern) were seen at Baseline and Randomization visits separated by 1 week, and after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores (SIGH-SAD) were obtained at each visit. Participants with SIGH-SAD of 20 or greater at Baseline and Randomization visits were randomized to active or control treatment: exposure to the Litebook LED treatment device (The Litebook Company Ltd., Alberta, Canada) which delivers 1,350 lux white light ( with spectral emission peaks at 464 nm and 564 nm) at a distance of 20 inches or to an inactivated negative ion generator at a distance of 20 inches, for 30 minutes a day upon awakening and prior to 8 A. M.Results: Of the 26 participants randomized, 23 completed the trial. Mean group SIGH-SAD scores did not differ significantly at randomization. At trial end, the proportions of participants in remission (SIGH-SAD less than 9) were significantly greater (Fisher's exact test), and SIGH-SAD scores, as percent individual score at randomization, were significantly lower (t-test), with active treatment than with control, both in an intent-to-treat analysis and an observed cases analysis. A longitudinal repeated measures ANOVA analysis of SIGH-SAD scores also indicated a significant interaction of time and treatment, showing superiority of the Litebook over the placebo condition.Conclusion: The results of this pilot study support the hypothesis that light therapy with the Litebook is an effective treatment for SAD.",

keywords = "WINTER DEPRESSION, BRIGHT LIGHT, ACTION SPECTRUM, MELATONIN, MECHANISM, PHOTORECEPTOR, SUPPRESSION, FLUOXETINE, EFFICACY, HUMANS",

author = "Desan, {Paul H.} and Weinstein, {Andrea J.} and Michalak, {Erin E.} and Tam, {Edwin M.} and Ybe Meesters and Ruiter, {Martine J.} and Edward Horn and John Telner and Hani Iskandar and Boivin, {Diane B.} and Lam, {Raymond W.}",

year = "2007",

month = aug,

day = "7",

doi = "10.1186/1471-244X-7-38",

language = "English",

volume = "7",

journal = "BMC Psychiatry",

issn = "1471-244X",

publisher = "BMC",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - A controlled trial of the Litebook light-emitting diode (LED) light therapy device for treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

AU - Desan, Paul H.

AU - Weinstein, Andrea J.

AU - Michalak, Erin E.

AU - Tam, Edwin M.

AU - Meesters, Ybe

AU - Ruiter, Martine J.

AU - Horn, Edward

AU - Telner, John

AU - Iskandar, Hani

AU - Boivin, Diane B.

AU - Lam, Raymond W.

PY - 2007/8/7

Y1 - 2007/8/7

N2 - Background: Recent research has emphasized that the human circadian rhythm system is differentially sensitive to short wavelength light. Light treatment devices using efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) whose output is relatively concentrated in short wavelengths may enable a more convenient effective therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).Methods: The efficacy of a LED light therapy device in the treatment of SAD was tested in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial. Participants aged 18 to 65 with SAD (DSM-IV major depression with seasonal pattern) were seen at Baseline and Randomization visits separated by 1 week, and after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores (SIGH-SAD) were obtained at each visit. Participants with SIGH-SAD of 20 or greater at Baseline and Randomization visits were randomized to active or control treatment: exposure to the Litebook LED treatment device (The Litebook Company Ltd., Alberta, Canada) which delivers 1,350 lux white light ( with spectral emission peaks at 464 nm and 564 nm) at a distance of 20 inches or to an inactivated negative ion generator at a distance of 20 inches, for 30 minutes a day upon awakening and prior to 8 A. M.Results: Of the 26 participants randomized, 23 completed the trial. Mean group SIGH-SAD scores did not differ significantly at randomization. At trial end, the proportions of participants in remission (SIGH-SAD less than 9) were significantly greater (Fisher's exact test), and SIGH-SAD scores, as percent individual score at randomization, were significantly lower (t-test), with active treatment than with control, both in an intent-to-treat analysis and an observed cases analysis. A longitudinal repeated measures ANOVA analysis of SIGH-SAD scores also indicated a significant interaction of time and treatment, showing superiority of the Litebook over the placebo condition.Conclusion: The results of this pilot study support the hypothesis that light therapy with the Litebook is an effective treatment for SAD.

AB - Background: Recent research has emphasized that the human circadian rhythm system is differentially sensitive to short wavelength light. Light treatment devices using efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) whose output is relatively concentrated in short wavelengths may enable a more convenient effective therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).Methods: The efficacy of a LED light therapy device in the treatment of SAD was tested in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial. Participants aged 18 to 65 with SAD (DSM-IV major depression with seasonal pattern) were seen at Baseline and Randomization visits separated by 1 week, and after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores (SIGH-SAD) were obtained at each visit. Participants with SIGH-SAD of 20 or greater at Baseline and Randomization visits were randomized to active or control treatment: exposure to the Litebook LED treatment device (The Litebook Company Ltd., Alberta, Canada) which delivers 1,350 lux white light ( with spectral emission peaks at 464 nm and 564 nm) at a distance of 20 inches or to an inactivated negative ion generator at a distance of 20 inches, for 30 minutes a day upon awakening and prior to 8 A. M.Results: Of the 26 participants randomized, 23 completed the trial. Mean group SIGH-SAD scores did not differ significantly at randomization. At trial end, the proportions of participants in remission (SIGH-SAD less than 9) were significantly greater (Fisher's exact test), and SIGH-SAD scores, as percent individual score at randomization, were significantly lower (t-test), with active treatment than with control, both in an intent-to-treat analysis and an observed cases analysis. A longitudinal repeated measures ANOVA analysis of SIGH-SAD scores also indicated a significant interaction of time and treatment, showing superiority of the Litebook over the placebo condition.Conclusion: The results of this pilot study support the hypothesis that light therapy with the Litebook is an effective treatment for SAD.

KW - WINTER DEPRESSION

KW - BRIGHT LIGHT

KW - ACTION SPECTRUM

KW - MELATONIN

KW - MECHANISM

KW - PHOTORECEPTOR

KW - SUPPRESSION

KW - FLUOXETINE

KW - EFFICACY

KW - HUMANS

U2 - 10.1186/1471-244X-7-38

DO - 10.1186/1471-244X-7-38

M3 - Article

SN - 1471-244X

VL - 7

JO - BMC Psychiatry

JF - BMC Psychiatry

M1 - 38

ER -

A controlled trial of the Litebook light-emitting diode (LED) light therapy device for treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Abstract

Keywords

Access to Document

Handle.net

Fingerprint

Cite this