Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: Participants were 48 newly admitted outpatients with major depressive disorder with either melancholic features (n=20) or atypical features (n=28). Morning BLT was administered daily for 30 min at 5.000-10.000 lx on working days for up to 3 consecutive weeks. RESULTS: Participants' depressive symptoms improved significantly after BLT (p<.05, d=-.53). The effects of BLT remained stable across a 4 week follow-up. There were no significant differences in efficacy of BLT between groups (p>.05). No effect of seasonality on the improvement in depressive symptoms after BLT was found, ( p=.781). LIMITATIONS: The study had a small sample size and lacked a control condition. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that BLT could be a promising treatment for depression, regardless of the melancholic or atypical character of the depressive symptoms.
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Authors | Tess Naus, Andreas Burger, Ayse Malkoc, Marc Molendijk, Judith Haffmans |
Journal | Journal of affective disorders
(J Affect Disord)
Vol. 151
Issue 3
Pg. 1135-7
(Dec 2013)
ISSN: 1573-2517 [Electronic] Netherlands |
PMID | 23972661
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
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Copyright | © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. |
Topics |
- Adult
- Depressive Disorder, Major
(psychology, therapy)
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Phototherapy
(methods)
- Pilot Projects
- Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
- Seasons
- Treatment Outcome
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