Citation

Demırkol ME, Namli Z, Tamam L. Eur. J. Psychiatry 2019; 33(3): 104-111.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Departmento de Psiquiatria de la Facultad de Medicina de Zaragoza)

DOI

10.1016/j.ejpsy.2019.03.002

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Background and objectives: The evidence for efficacy of light therapy in non-seasonal depression remains controversial. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of bright light therapy when it was combined with antidepressant treatment in the course of major depressive disorder without seasonal pattern. The secondary aim was to assess the inflammatory response to bright light therapy.

METHODS: Patients who had a Hamilton Depression scale score of 17 or above, who were receiving antidepressant monotherapy for at least 4 weeks were included in the study (n = 74). Patients were assigned to either antidepressant monotherapy (n = 40) or combination of antidepressant and bright light therapy (n = 34). The severity of the depression and suicidal ideation was evaluated by Hamilton Depression Scale and The Beck Scale for suicide ideation. The effect of light therapy on inflammatory markers was investigated based on the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, platelet counts and mean platelet volume. Their clinical state was monitored at the baseline, 1 day and 2 weeks after treatment.

RESULTS: Independent from treatment group, patients showed decreased depression and suicidal ideation scores after treatment. The results of statistical analysis of time × group interactions regarding depression and suicidal ideation scores also showed significant differences between groups over time. For inflammatory markers, only the lymphocyte count showed significant difference between groups over time. Except platelet/lymphocyte ratio, all inflammatory markers showed significant alterations with time independent from treatment arm.

CONCLUSION: Combining light therapy with oral antidepressants can be helpful in non-seasonal depression as well. © 2019 Asociación Universitaria de Zaragoza para el Progreso de la Psiquiatría y la Salud Mental

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; female; male; aged; suicidal ideation; social support; Major depressive disorder; major depression; inflammation; major clinical study; controlled study; antidepressant agent; health status; phototherapy; monotherapy; Article; employment status; outcome assessment; seasonal affective disorder; lymphocyte count; neutrophil count; medication compliance; Hamilton Depression Rating Scale; platelet count; Inflammatory markers; Light therapy; mean platelet volume; Mean platelet volume; neutrophil lymphocyte ratio; Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio; platelet lymphocyte ratio; Platelet/lymphocyte ratio