This is all very good, but bright light treatment sources are necessarily big, fragile, and use a lot of electricity. The bulbs are expensive, and they eventually burn out.
Subsequent research indicated that the timing of the light is important. This implied that there is something about the circadian rhythm that is related to seasonal depression. It was then learned that different wavelengths of light have different effects on the circadian rhythm in humans. Specifically, only blue light suppresses the production of melatonin. It is the suppression of melatonin that tells you it is time to get up and get going in the morning.
All of this added up to something...
Connecting
the dots
here, perhaps there is a more convenient way to administer
bright
light treatment. All it would take is a light source that
emits
only blue light, is more efficient than fluorescent bulbs, smaller,
that lasts longer.
That, of course, would be the LED (light emitting diode). The open-source journal BMC Psychiatry has just published an update on this:
I would not necessarily endorse a product from any one vendor. In fact, the one mentioned in the article seems overpriced, in my opinion. (Ultrabright blue LEDs can be gotten at specialty computer and electronic shops, or eBay, for about 10 cents each.) I should mention, though, that I don't recommend building these yourself. There are blue LEDs that emit ultraviolet light, especially if fed too high of a current. If you do not know exactly what you are doing, you could end up making something that is not safe to shine in your face.
This sort of research is interesting to me because it is very practical. Potentially it could lead to a significantly less expensive way to treat some mood disorders.
That, of course, would be the LED (light emitting diode). The open-source journal BMC Psychiatry has just published an update on this:
A Controlled Trial of the Litebook Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Light Therapy Device for Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Paul H Desan , Andrea J Weinstein , Erin E Michalak , Edwin M Tam , Ybe Meesters , Martine J Ruiter , Edward Horn , John Telner , Hani Iskandar , Diane B Boivin and Raymond W Lam
BMC Psychiatry 2007, 7:38 doi:10.1186/1471-244X-7-38
Background
Recent research has emphasized that the human circadian rhythm system is differentially sensitive to short wavelength light. Light treatment devices using efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) whose output is relatively concentrated in short wavelengths may enable a more convenient effective therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Methods
The efficacy of a LED light therapy device in the treatment of SAD was tested in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial. Participants aged 18 to 65 with SAD (DSM-IV major depression with seasonal pattern) were seen at Baseline and Randomization visits separated by 1 week, and after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores (SIGH-SAD) were obtained at each visit. Participants with SIGH-SAD of 20 or greater at Baseline and Randomization visits were randomized to active or control treatment: exposure to the Litebook LED treatment device (The Litebook Company Ltd., Alberta, Canada) which delivers 1,350 lux white light (with spectral emission peaks at 464 nm and 564 nm) at a distance of 20 inches or to an inactivated negative ion generator at a distance of 20 inches, for 30 minutes a day upon awakening and prior to 8 A.M.
Results
Of the 26 participants randomized, 23 completed the trial. Mean group SIGH-SAD scores did not differ significantly at randomization. At trial end, the proportions of participants in remission (SIGH-SAD less than 9) were significantly greater (Fisher's exact test), and SIGH-SAD scores, as percent individual score at randomization, were significantly lower (t-test), with active treatment than with control, both in an intent-to-treat analysis and an observed cases analysis. A longitudinal repeated measures ANOVA analysis of SIGH-SAD scores also indicated a significant interaction of time and treatment, showing superiority of the Litebook over the placebo condition.
Conclusions
The results of this pilot study support the hypothesis that light therapy with the Litebook is an effective treatment for SAD.
I would not necessarily endorse a product from any one vendor. In fact, the one mentioned in the article seems overpriced, in my opinion. (Ultrabright blue LEDs can be gotten at specialty computer and electronic shops, or eBay, for about 10 cents each.) I should mention, though, that I don't recommend building these yourself. There are blue LEDs that emit ultraviolet light, especially if fed too high of a current. If you do not know exactly what you are doing, you could end up making something that is not safe to shine in your face.
This sort of research is interesting to me because it is very practical. Potentially it could lead to a significantly less expensive way to treat some mood disorders.
Comments
Thanks for the useful update on SAD treatments.
I've used a couple of the standard units--big, bulky, and too bright. If this proves out, it would be a nice affordable downsizing. Maybe even portable?
Posted by: Dirkh | August 10, 2007 1:38 PM
It is portable, comes with a lithium-ion battery good for two hours. It is about the size of a notebook computer.
No word yet on what the airline security screeners would think of it.
Posted by: Joseph j7uy5 | August 10, 2007 1:51 PM
I use a 500 Watt quartz halogen lamp from Home Depot, $10. At 2-3 feet from it I measure ~10,000 lux. It is an incandescent source, so it is broad spectrum. I sit 3-4 feet in front of it while I eat my breakfast. Half an hour would be 250 watt hours, about $0.05 per day. The bulb lasts a couple of years.
I don't have diagnosed SAD, but I do feel better when I use the lamp than when I don't.
Posted by: daedalus2u | August 11, 2007 10:26 PM
A quick read of the PDF doesn't reveal any attention paid to possible differences between younger and older participants. That is disappointing, as it's been suggested that blue light is less effective for older people for treatment of DSPS, and presumably also SAD.
Posted by: nbm | August 12, 2007 4:04 PM
I've used a couple of the standard units--big, bulky, and too bright. If this proves out, it would be a nice affordable downsizing. Maybe even portable? Thank You
Posted by: youtube | March 28, 2008 5:00 AM