Light Therapy, also known as Phototherapy, is a growing field of research and product development which uses light
to treat the symptoms of
many diverse, but common, medical problems. Light therapy uses different colors of light to treat different ailments.
For example,
full spectrum light, or "white" sunlight is used to treat the depression and sleep disorders that result from Seasonal
Affective Disorder (SAD).
Light deprivation affects the rate of serotonin turnover in the brain. Conversely, light therapy mimics outdoor
light and causes a
biochemical change in the brain that lifts mood. Exposure to bright light suppresses the production of melatonin
and contributes to the
regulation of the circadian rhythm.
In light therapy, the patient sits a few feet from a specialized light therapy box so that they're exposed to very
bright light. Light therapy
is generally easy to use and has relatively few side effects.
Artificial light has been widely used to increase light exposure during winter months. There are a number of
ways to administer light therapy.
The method used in most studies involves using a specially designed light, encased in a portable box, placed
near the patient. The bulb, which is
many times brighter than normal lighting, has proven to be effective at doses of 2,500 to 10,000 lux.
Many patients use the light box in the morning, however it has not been proven to be effective at one time
of day over another.
Light therapy has also been shown to be effective for other forms of depression, including major depression.
This is because people with other
types of depressive disorders are effected seasonally as well.
Light therapy has been used successfully in combination with a number of other therapies, including
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT),
L-tryptophan, and St. John's wort. In a six-week study using light therapy and CBT, the combination
significantly reduced the remission
rate of subjects as compared to light therapy alone.
People with winter-onset SAD process sugar differently in winter compared with summer—or after light therapy in winter.
Additionally, light therapy may also be a useful part of an alcoholism recovery program and may help to prevent relapse.
For some people, light therapy is more effective than antidepressants for the treatment of SAD. In one trial, 46 patients
with SAD found light therapy slightly more effective than fluoxetine.
A review of several clinical trials of light therapy for SAD concluded that the intensity of the light is related
to the effectiveness of
the treatment. A higher response rate was seen in trials where light intensity was greater, compared with
trials that used light of
lower intensity. However, some trials have has success with lower illumination.
These are very exciting times for those interested in light therapy - the realization that people can treat
their problems in an effective manner, free of
drugs and with no side effects.
Verilux® Lighting is a respected leader in the design and production of light therapy products.
For more information, choose from the resources and products below.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Light Therapy, also known as Phototherapy, is a growing field of research and product development which uses light
to treat the symptoms of
many diverse, but common, medical problems. Light therapy uses different colors of light to treat different ailments.
For example,
full spectrum light, or "white" sunlight is used to treat the depression and sleep disorders that result from Seasonal
Affective Disorder (SAD).
