A new study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, suggests that bright light therapy—traditionally used to help overcome seasonal depression—may also be effective for patients suffering from depression all over the year. Traditionally associated with seasonal affective disorder, bright light therapy uses a special light box emitting a bright, sunlight-like glow—one that can help lift mood and improve depressive symptoms.
In the research, investigators pooled data from 858 adults with nonseasonal depression in 11 clinical trials in which participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: bright light therapy, antidepressant medication, or control groups receiving either a placebo or dim red light exposure.
The study found that, compared with patients not treated with light therapy, patients treated with bright light therapy were more than twice as likely to report at least 50% diminishment or resolution of symptoms of depression.
As the lead author of the study, Dr. Artur Menegaz de Almeida, explained, even treatments shorter than four weeks had significant positive effects. Surprisingly, one week of bright light treatment caused similar effects to the six-week treatment—a promising sign that impactful sessions could be even shorter.
However, these researchers of the study do indicate that while bright light therapy does seem promising, it is not to replace professional medical treatment. They recommend that anyone considering such therapy—especially individuals with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder—should consult a healthcare provider first.
1. Artur Menegaz de Almeida et al., "Bright Light Therapy for Nonseasonal Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," JAMA Psychiatry 81, no. 1 (2024): 39-47. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.2345
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