---
title: Does bright light therapy reduce depression in premenstrual dysphoric disorder?
description: It is uncertain. Four small trials with 55 total participants were found, but results were inconsistent and the trials had methodological limitations.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-effect-of-bright-light-therapy-on-depression-associated-with-premenstrual-2005/
---

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- Does bright light therapy reduce depression in premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Systematic review, 2005

# Does bright light therapy reduce depression in premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

It is uncertain. Four small trials with 55 total participants were found, but results were inconsistent and the trials had methodological limitations.

 Early or limited evidence

55 participants across 4 trials with premenstrual dysphoric disorder

## What they did

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials of bright light therapy for PMDD. Searched six databases for trials. Four crossover trials met inclusion criteria.

## What they found

Four crossover trials studied a total of 55 participants. Three higher quality trials showed a small pooled effect size of -0.20. One fully unblinded trial showed a much larger effect. Confidence intervals were wide, and methodologic limitations were present.

## What it means for you

The trials were too small and had methodological problems, so we cannot be confident whether bright light therapy works for PMDD depression. The evidence justifies neither enthusiastic support nor confident rejection of this treatment.

4

Number of randomized trials found

55

Total participants studied

-0.20

Pooled effect size from higher quality trials

## About the study

Original title The effect of bright light therapy on depression associated with premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Krasnik C, Montori VM, Guyatt GH et al. Journal American journal of obstetrics and gynecology Year 2005 Study design Systematic review What was tested Bright light therapy Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2005.01.055](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2005.01.055)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Light therapy and sleep deprivation](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-light-therapy/)

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## Related studies

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Randomised trial, 1997

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Survey study, 1997

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