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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2020 Nov;33(6):1428-1439.
doi: 10.1111/jar.12770. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

The effect of bright light therapy on depressive symptoms in adults with intellectual disabilities: Results of a multicentre randomized controlled trial

Pauline C M Hamers  1   2 , Dederieke A M Festen  1   3 , Patrick J E Bindels  4 , Heidi Hermans  1   2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

The effect of bright light therapy on depressive symptoms in adults with intellectual disabilities: Results of a multicentre randomized controlled trial

Pauline C M Hamers et al. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2020 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Although a large number of adults with intellectual disabilities have depressive symptoms, non-pharmacological treatments are scarce. The present authors investigated whether bright light therapy (BLT) is effective in decreasing depressive symptoms compared to care as usual.

Methods: This multicentre randomized controlled trial consisted of three study groups (10,000 lux BLT, dim light BLT and a no-BLT group). Participants received BLT for 30 min in the morning (14 consecutive days), additional to their regular care. Primary outcome was as follows: depressive symptoms measured with the ADAMS Depressive Mood subscale 1 week after the end of BLT (same time period in the no-BLT group).

Results: Forty-one participants were included in our trial. In both BLT groups, a significant decrease in depressive symptoms was seen. No significant differences were found between 10,000 lux BLT and no-BLT (p = .199) and no significant differences between dim light BLT and no-BLT (p = .451). A minimum amount of side effects and no adverse events were reported.

Conclusions: In both BLT interventions, a decrease in depressive symptoms was seen. With 10,000 lux BLT, depressive symptoms decreased even below the clinical cut-off point, which makes BLT a promising intervention for clinical practice.

Keywords: bright light therapy; depressive symptoms; intellectual disabilities; randomized controlled trial.

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Conflict of interest statement

PB, DF, HH and PH report grands from the Dioraphte Foundation and Foundation for Support VCVGZ for the conduct of the study. PB, DF, HH and PH report funding from three care provider centres of the HA‐ID Consort (Abrona, Amarant and Ipse de Bruggen) during the conduct of the study.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Flow diagram participants. *Professional caregiver did not complete the questionnaires at this time point. **No compliance to the study protocol
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Mean change in ADAMS Depression subscale score (13 items) in patients randomly assigned to one of the three study groups
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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