Light therapy for seasonal affective disorder in visual impairment and blindness – a pilot study

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningfagfællebedømt

  • Helle Østergaard Madsen
  • Shakoor Ba-Ali
  • Ida Hageman
  • Henrik Lund-Andersen
  • Martiny, Klaus
Objective: Seasonal and non-seasonal depression are prevalent conditions in visual impairment (VI). We assessed the effects and side effects of light therapy in persons with severe VI/blindness who experienced recurrent depressive symptoms in winter corresponding to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or subsyndromal SAD (sSAD). Results: We included 18 persons (11 with severe VI, 3 with light perception and 4 with no light perception) who met screening criteria for sSAD/SAD in a single-arm, assessor-blinded trial of 6 weeks light therapy. In the 12 persons who completed the 6 weeks of treatment, the post-treatment depression score was reduced (p < 0.001), and subjective wellbeing (p = 0.01) and sleep quality were improved (p = 0.03). In 6/12 participants (50%), the post-treatment depression score was below the cut-off set for remission. In four participants with VI, side effects (glare or transiently altered visual function) led to dropout or exclusion. Conclusion: Light therapy was associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms in persons with severe VI/blindness. Eye safety remains a concern in persons with residual sight.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftActa Neuropsychiatrica
Vol/bind33
Udgave nummer4
Sider (fra-til)191–199
ISSN0924-2708
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2021

ID: 274865945