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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01048294

Blue Enriched Versus Standard Light Treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD)

One of the most frequently investigated hypothesis of the pathophysiology underlying Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD) or so called winterdepression is a disturbance of circadian rhythms. Since the circadian system is especially sensitive for the blue portion of the light spectrum, a new light therapy device with more blue light (blue enriched polychromatic light) was tested for its efficacy to treat SAD. In chronobiological terms this light is hypothesized to be more potent in inducing non-visual effects. In the present study fluorescent tubes that emit a high portion of short wavelength light on top of the normal wavelengths are tested for its superiority in treating SAD. This blue-enriched light (colour temperature 17000 ºK) is compared to standard light treatment (5000 º K) in SAD patients., The investigators hypothesise that blue- enriched light improve the therapeutic effects of light treatment leading to a higher response or the same response in a shorter time schedule compared to standard light treatment.

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Key information

Conditions

Seasonal Affective Disorder Depressive Disorder Mental Disorders Mood Disorders

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen

Groningen, 9700RB, Netherlands

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • age 18-65;
  • diagnosis of Seasonal affective Disorder, winter type according to DSM-IV;
  • SIGH SAD rating higher then or equal to 18 on day 1;
  • no other treatments for mood disorder during the study
  • stay in the Netherlands during the study

Exclusion criteria

  • other Axis 1 disorder according to DSM-IV
  • acute suicide risk
  • use of psychotropic drugs or photosensitizing drugs
  • eye diseases other then usual effect of aging
  • diabetes or epilepsy
  • regular shift work

Treatment and study plan

Original Energy Light,

Device

9000 lux, 30 minutes in the morning

Other names: Philips energy light HF 3308; 2 lamps PLL36W color 5000K

Original Energy Light prototype

Device

9000 lux 20 minutes in the morning

Other names: Philips energy light HF 3308; 2 lamps PLL36W color 17000K

Primary outcomes

  1. SIGH SAD depression observer rating

    Time frame: days 1, 8, 15, 22

Secondary outcomes

  1. selfrating of depressive mood

    Time frame: once daily during 22 days

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Medical Center Groningen

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Gerandomiseerde en Gecontroleerde Studie Naar de Effecten Van Lichttoediening Met Een Hogere Kleurtemperatuur in Vergelijking Met de Standaard Lichttherapie in de Behandeling Van Winterdepressie

Important dates

Study start
2005
Primary completion
2006
Study completion
2006
First posted
Jan 13, 2010
Registry last updated
Jan 13, 2010

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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