Optimizing Light Wavelength for Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder

The specific aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that light stimuli concentrated around 468 nm will evoke a significantly stronger therapeutic response in SAD patients compared to light stimuli concentrated around 654 nm at an equal photon density.

The secondary objective of this study is to determine the efficacy of different colors and levels of light in order to optimize therapeutic benefit, while also minimizing side effects and maintaining safety of light exposure.

Description

Studies report as many as 1 out of every 5 Americans is affected by mild to severe Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD, winter depression). Although the exact cause of this condition is unknown, bright light has proven to be an effective therapeutic treatment for many people with SAD. The light sources that have been traditionally used for treatment of SAD produce white light with great variability in the balance of wavelengths that are emitted across the visible spectrum. Although several studies have attempted to test the effectiveness of different wavelengths for treatment of SAD, the devices used in those studies employed broad bandwidths of light. With the technological advancements in light emitting diodes (LEDs) the production of new light therapy equipment with much narrower bandwidths of light is possible. Side effects of exposure to traditional white light therapy for SAD have included hypomanic activation, irritability, headache, eyestrain and nausea. We hypothesize that when the wavelength of light therapy is optimized, it should be feasible to elicit strong therapeutic benefits with lower light intensities and fewer side effects. Previous studies, approved by the Jefferson IRB and successfully completed by our laboratory have shown that some colors of light are more effective in treating SAD than other colors.

Status: Active, not recruiting (Phase 2). Started on November 1st, 2006.

Enrollment: 30 subjects

Study Type: Interventional

Study Design:

Allocation: Randomized
Endpoint Classification: Safety Study
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double-Blind
Primary Purpose: Treatment

Conditions:

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Interventions:

Device: Light Box

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

Clinical diagnosis of Seasonal Affective Disorder
Over 18 years old
Stable sleeping pattern with a bedtime no later than 1 a.m.

Exclusion Criteria:

Pregnant women
Concurrent psychiatric illness that would preclude compliance with the protocol
active suicidal or homicidal ideation or plan
variable psychiatric illness (i.e. rapid cycling disorder or severe premenstrual syndrome)
individuals with substance abuse or dependence who have not been in remission for at least one year
individuals taking photosensitizing medications
individuals with macular degeneration or other ocular conditions which might be adversely affected by light
less then six weeks after onset of psychotherapeutic treatment

Gender: Both
Mininum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: N/A
Healthy Volunteers: No

Resources

Source: Thomas Jefferson University

Authority: United States: Institutional Review Board

Locations

Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
19107
United States

Officials

George C Brainard, Ph.D. (Principal Investigator, Thomas Jefferson University)

References

Glickman G, Byrne B, Pineda C, Hauck WW, Brainard GC. Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder with Blue Narrow-Band Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs). Biol Psychiatry. 2005 Sep 13; [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 16165105.
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Brainard GC, Sherry D, Skwerer RG, Waxler M, Kelly K, Rosenthal NE. Effects of different wavelengths in seasonal affective disorder. J Affect Disord. 1990 Dec;20(4):209-16.
PMID: 2149726.
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Eastman CI, Young MA, Fogg LF, Liu L, Meaden PM. Bright light treatment of winter depression: a placebo-controlled trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1998 Oct;55(10):883-9.
PMID: 9783558.
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Lee TM, Chan CC, Paterson JG, Janzen HL, Blashko CA. Spectral properties of phototherapy for seasonal affective disorder: a meta-analysis. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1997 Aug;96(2):117-21.
PMID: 9272195.
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Lewy AJ, Kern HA, Rosenthal NE, Wehr TA. Bright artificial light treatment of a manic-depressive patient with a seasonal mood cycle. Am J Psychiatry. 1982 Nov;139(11):1496-8. No abstract available.
PMID: 7137404.
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Lewy AJ, Bauer VK, Cutler NL, Sack RL, Ahmed S, Thomas KH, Blood ML, Jackson JM. Morning vs evening light treatment of patients with winter depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1998 Oct;55(10):890-6.
PMID: 9783559.
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Oren DA, Brainard GC, Johnston SH, Joseph-Vanderpool JR, Sorek E, Rosenthal NE. Treatment of seasonal affective disorder with green light and red light. Am J Psychiatry. 1991 Apr;148(4):509-11.
PMID: 2006698.
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Rosenthal NE, Sack DA, Gillin JC, Lewy AJ, Goodwin FK, Davenport Y, Mueller PS, Newsome DA, Wehr TA. Seasonal affective disorder. A description of the syndrome and preliminary findings with light therapy. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1984 Jan;41(1):72-80.
PMID: 6581756.
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Links

None.

Date Verified: November 1st, 2006
First Received: December 22nd, 2009
Last Changed: December 22nd, 2009

Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on June 09, 2011. Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.

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