bright light therapyCommonly used to treat seasonal Depression which occurs during the dark winter months, can also provide relief to those suffering from non-seasonal depressionAccording to new research. traditionally associated with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), bright light therapy involves exposure to intense light to help regulate mood. However, a new study suggests that this therapy may benefit people who experience depression year-round.

The study, published Oct. 2 in JAMA Psychiatry, analyzed data from 858 adults with non-seasonal depression in 11 clinical trials. Participants were randomly assigned to receive bright light therapy, either alone or combined with antidepressant medications, while control groups received the drug, a placebo, or dim red light therapy as a comparison.

The results showed that people who took bright light therapy were more than twice as likely to have reduced depressive symptoms or experience remission compared to people who did not receive treatment. Remission in this context means a return to normal levels of social functioning. This finding indicates that bright light therapy may be a viable treatment option not only for people with seasonal depression, but also for people with various forms of non-seasonal depression.

Interestingly, the study highlighted the effectiveness of both short-term and long-term use of bright light therapy. Participants who received treatment for less than four weeks were three times more likely to see symptom improvement or relief. In treatments lasting more than a month, improvement or remission occurred at twice the rate compared with control groups. These results suggest that bright light therapy can have significant effects on depressive symptoms even with short treatment durations.

“Our findings suggest that a one-week period of bright light treatment may be as effective as a six-week period,” said study lead author Artur Menegaez de Almeida, of the Federal University of Mato Grosso in Brazil. The light therapy given during the study lasted for at least 30 minutes. The brightness of the light boxes used was 10,000 lux, which is equivalent to light in broad daylight.

However, some limitations were noted in the study. The duration of clinical trials varied, making it difficult to determine the optimal length of treatment. Additionally, researchers were unable to distinguish between the effects of bright light therapy on people bipolar disorder Versus those with other forms of non-seasonal depression. Further research is needed to find out how therapy affects different types of depression.

Raymond Lamm, MD, a psychiatry professor at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, who was not involved in the study, says that for those considering bright light therapy, it’s important to use the right type of light box. A good light box, also known as a light therapy lamp, should emit at least 10,000 lux of light and be large enough to provide illumination to a user sitting a few feet away.

“You don’t need to stare at it,” says Dr. Lamm. “You can read or have breakfast or check your email, but you have to stay awake because it won’t work if you’re asleep or your eyes are closed.”

Timing is important when using bright light therapy. According to Dr. Lamm, the best time to use a light therapy lamp is in the morning, because this is the time when the body’s circadian rhythm, or biological clock, is most responsive. Exposure to bright light early in the day helps trigger chemicals in the brain that improve mood. On the other hand, light therapy in the afternoon or later in the day is not effective for improving mood. “It doesn’t matter how much light you get throughout the day,” Lam explains. “It’s how bright the light you get in the morning.”

Despite the potential benefits of bright light therapy, Dr. Lam emphasizes that it is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. People experiencing symptoms of depression, especially major depressive disorder, should consult a health care professional before beginning light therapy. This is especially important for people with bipolar disorder, as bright light therapy can potentially trigger manic episodes.

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