Sustained remission from perinatal depression after bright light therapy: A pilot randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Corrado Garbazza, Fabio Cirignotta, Armando D'Agostino, Alessandro Cicolin, Sandra Hackethal, Anna Wirz-Justice, Christian Cajochen, Mauro Manconi, “Life-ON” study group, Corrado Garbazza, Fabio Cirignotta, Armando D'Agostino, Alessandro Cicolin, Sandra Hackethal, Anna Wirz-Justice, Christian Cajochen, Mauro Manconi, “Life-ON” study group

Abstract

Objective: Perinatal depression (PND) is a severe complication of pregnancy, affecting both mothers and newborns. Bright light therapy (BLT) has only been tested in a few studies for treating either antenatal or postnatal depression. We conducted a pilot trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of BLT for PND occurring at any time across the perinatal period.

Methods: A single-blind RCT was carried out in women with an EPDS >12 from the 2nd gestational trimester until 9 months postpartum. Participants received either 30-minutes morning BLT (10'000 lux) or dim red light (DRL, 19 lux) for 6 weeks.

Results: Twenty-two women were randomised to BLT (n = 11) or DRL (n = 11). Among those receiving BLT, 73% achieved remission (improvement ≥50%, EPDS score ≤ 12), in contrast to 27% in the DRL group (p = 0.04). A significant influence of time on EPDS score and group-time interaction emerged, with a greater reduction in the BLT-group across the follow-up period. No women in either group reported major side effects.

Conclusion: Morning BLT induced a significant remission from PND as compared to DRL and this effect was maintained across the perinatal period. BLT showed an excellent safety profile and was well-tolerated, thus representing a valid therapeutic strategy in this vulnerable perinatal population.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02664467.

Keywords: light therapy; postpartum depression; pregnancy.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.

© 2022 The Authors. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Remission and non‐response among the different light conditions and influence of time and intervention group on EPDS values across the follow‐up period. (A) Raincloud‐plot with density plot, boxplot and individual EPDS values per patient pre‐ and post‐treatment intervention. (B) Percentage of remission and non‐response to treatment stratified for the groups exposed to the experimental light conditions. (C) EPDS values across the follow‐up period relative to the beginning of therapy (yellow vertical bar) stratified for experimental light conditions. Mean time‐intervals between the different follow‐up visits were 55 days (min. 6 days, max. 132 days). The red dotted vertical line represents the cut‐off value of EPDS = 12. Right hand side: Results of the multilevel linear regression model predicting EPDS values by intervention group, time (not shown), and group‐time interaction. BLT: bright light therapy. Std. Error: Standard error. Pr(>IzI): p‐value. *p < 0.05. **p < 0.01. *** p < 0.001 (group‐time interaction)
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Experimental light conditions in the “Life‐ON” RCT. Left: bright light (10′000 Lux). Right: red dim light (19 lux)

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