Blue Light Therapy for Seasonal and Non-Seasonal Depression: A Systemic Review and Meta Analysis of Randomized Controlled

Course overview

Course Description: This course is based upon material published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry and is available as an open-access article. To determine the efficacy and safety of blue-light therapy in seasonal and non-seasonal major depressive disorder (MDD), by comparison to active and inactive control conditions. We searched Web of Science, EMBASE, Medline, PsycInfo, and Clinicaltrials.gov through January 17, 2022, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using search terms for blue/blue-enhanced, light therapy, and depression/seasonal affective disorder. Two independent reviewers extracted data. The primary outcome was the difference in endpoint scores on the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale - Seasonal Affective Disorder (SIGH-SAD) or the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale with Atypical Depression Supplement (SIGH-ADS) between blue light and comparison conditions. Secondary outcomes were response ( 50 percent improvement from baseline to endpoint on a depression scale) and remission rates (endpoint score in the remission range). Of 582 articles retrieved, we included nine RCTs (n = 347 participants) assessing blue-light therapy. Seven studies had participants with seasonal MDD and two studies included participants with non-seasonal MDD. Four studies compared blue light to an inactive light condition (efficacy studies), and five studies compared it to an active condition (comparison studies). For the primary outcome, a meta-analysis with random-effects models found no evidence for the efficacy of blue-light conditions compared to inactive conditions (mean difference [MD]=2.43; 95 percent confidence interval [CI], -1.28 to 6.14, P= 0.20); however, blue-light also showed no differences compared to active conditions (MD = -0.11; 95% CI, -2.38 to 2.16, P = 0.93). There were no significant differences in response and remission rates between blue-light conditions and inactive or active-light conditions. Blue-light therapy was overall well-tolerated. The efficacy of blue-light therapy in the treatment of seasonal and non-seasonal MDD remains unproven. Future trials should be of longer duration, include larger sample sizes, and attempt to better standardize the parameters of light therapy. This course on blue light therapy as a treatment for depression is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors, who do clinical work. In addition, this course is appropriate for intermediate and advanced-level practitioners who wish to develop their knowledge of blue light therapy as a treatment for depression. The course material includes a literature review of interventions and theories. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require continuing clinical education courses for license renewal. The course is based on a journal article that includes research. It contains statistical analysis and data that some clinicians enjoy reading, and others do not. A significant benefit of reading research-based articles for continuing education is they provide practitioners with the latest findings in their field. Authors: Do, Li, Huang, Michalak, Tam, Chakrabarty, Yatham, Lam Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding blue light therapy as a treatment for depression. Specifically, a professional will: Recognize the characteristics of light therapy and its effects on modulating neural pathways. Describe the use of blue light therapy treatment for seasonal and non-seasonal major depressive disorder. Identify the acceptability and adverse events of blue light therapy. Citation: Do, A., Li, V. W., Huang, S., Michalak, E. E., Tam, E. M., Chakrabarty, T., Yatham, L. N., & Lam, R. W. (2022). Blue-Light Therapy for Seasonal and Non-Seasonal Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry