Light and Ion Maintenance In Treatment for Depression (LIMIT-D): Feasibility Study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a multicentre, randomized, trial of light therapy and negative ion therapy as substitutes for antidepressants for maintenance treatment for patients with recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD).

The study design for this feasibility study mirrors the full LIMIT-D protocol: a 28-week, double-blind (participant and outcome rater) relapse prevention study with 100 participants randomized 1:1 to one of two study treatments, light therapy or negative ion therapy, and assessed for relapse over 28 weeks. Half the study devices are modified to be inactive. After 2 weeks of study treatment, the participant's antidepressant will be tapered and discontinued between Week 2 and Week 8.

Participants are assessed for relapse at each scheduled study visit (every 2 weeks during antidepressant taper until week 8, then every 4 weeks until end of study treatment at Week 28) by blind outcome raters. In addition, they complete an online Personal Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) self-rated depression symptom scale bi-weekly; if total score is 10 or higher OR the suicide item score is 2 or higher, participants are booked for a relapse-assessment visit and relapse-verification study visit at least 1 week apart. Relapse will be defined as any of the following:

• MADRS total score 20 or higher for at least 2 consecutive weeks and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) criteria for major depressive episode at the Relapse-Verification visit.
• Hospitalization for worsening of depression.
• Suicidal ideation with intent or plan, or suicidal behaviour.
• Any change in treatment for depression (e.g., starting an antidepressant).

At each visit, clinician-rated and self-rated symptom, side effect, and functioning measures are completed. The primary feasibility outcome is recruitment rate; secondary feasibility outcomes include adherence to study treatment, successful discontinuation of antidepressants rate, and all-cause dropout rate. Secondary clinical outcomes include relapse rate, time to relapse, adverse events, and safety profiles.

Participants will wear an actigraph at home during the 28-week study treatment period to assess sleep, light and activity/circadian rhythms. There is a final observational visit by Zoom videoconference at Week 52.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) criteria for MDD, as determined by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID).
• Taking a first-line antidepressant at approved doses (Table 1), with dose unchanged in the past month.
• Participant desire to discontinue antidepressant treatment because of adverse effects or other reasons;
• In remission as defined by score ≤10 on the clinician-rated Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) at both the screening visit and baseline visit, at least 2 weeks apart.
• Willing and able to complete self-report and online assessments including sufficient fluency in English or French.

Exclusion criteria

• Any psychiatric diagnosis other than MDD that is considered the primary diagnosis, including Bipolar I or Bipolar-II (lifetime). Note that comorbid anxiety disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder) will not be excluded if the anxiety disorder is not the primary diagnosis.
• Diagnosis of MDD with seasonal pattern (i.e., seasonal affective disorder, SAD) or with psychotic features (lifetime).
• Significant personality disorder diagnosis [e.g., antisocial] by MINI and clinical assessment.
• High suicidal risk, defined by clinician judgment.
• History of alcohol or substance use disorder, with a severity of at least moderate or severe, within 6 months before screening.
• Significant neurological disorders, head trauma, or other unstable medical conditions.
• Regular use of psychotropic medication other than an antidepressant or benzodiazepines (e.g., antipsychotics, mood stabilizers); Note - Stimulant medications for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are allowed if dose is stable in past month.
• History of severe antidepressant discontinuation effects.
• Retinal disease or other eye condition (e.g., macular degeneration) precluding the use of bright light treatment.
• Use of photosensitizing medication (thioridazine, chloroquine, 8-methoxypsoralen) within 1 week of baseline visit.
• Initiated formal psychotherapy (e.g., cognitive-behavioural therapy) within 3 months of Visit 1, or who plan to initiate psychotherapy during the study.
• Continued use of any other evidence-based treatment for depression.