NCT01784705

Transcranial Bright Light Therapy in Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Transcranial Bright Light Therapy in Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)- a Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Oulu · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Bright light therapy (BLT) has been found to be effective in treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The mechanism of action of conventional BLT in the treatment of SAD is under debate. Recently, transcranial bright light (TBL) via ear canals has been proved to modulate the neural networks of the human brain and improve cognitive performance in healthy subjects. Moreover, TBL has been found to alleviate symptoms of SAD in open trial. In this case the investigators will study the effect of transcranial bright light treatment via ear canals on depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients suffering from SAD in randomized controlled double-blind study design.

Conditions

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Transcranial bright light therapy	The bright light treatment was given transcranially via ear canals by using bright light device. The bright light was produced using two light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The bright light was transmitted into both ear canals by an optical fibre. Daily 12 minutes TBL was taken at home during forenoon.
DEVICE	Transcranial placebo treatment	The placebo treatment was given transcranially via ear canals by placebo device. Daily 12 minutes placebo treatment was taken at home during forenoon.

Timeline

• Start date: 2013-01-01
• Primary completion: 2013-03-01
• Completion: 2013-03-01
• First posted: 2013-02-06
• Last updated: 2013-06-28

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Finland