Randomised trial, 1999
Does bright light therapy help PMDD symptoms like depression and tension?
Yes, 30 minutes of bright white light each evening during the luteal phase significantly reduced depression and premenstrual tension, while dim red light did not.
What they did
14 women with late luteal phase dysphoric disorder (LLPDD) first tracked their symptoms for 2 menstrual cycles. They then completed 4 more cycles of treatment with each woman trying both treatments at different times (a crossover design). During the luteal phase of each treatment cycle, women received 30 minutes of bright white light or dim red light each evening at home using a light box.
What they found
The bright white light condition significantly reduced depression and premenstrual tension scores compared to baseline. The dim red light condition did not produce these improvements.
What it means for you
Bright light therapy during the luteal phase may help reduce PMDD depression and tension. The study used a rigorous crossover design, but included only 14 women.
14
women with LLPDD
30
minutes of light per evening
10,000 lux
brightness of active light
About the study
- Original title
- A controlled study of light therapy in women with late luteal phase dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Lam RW, Carter D, Misri S et al.
- Journal
- Psychiatry research
- Year
- 1999
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- 30 minutes of bright white light (10,000 lux) or dim red light (500 lux) each evening during luteal phase, crossover design
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0165-1781(99)00043-8
Topics
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