Volume 28, Issue 148, June 2024

The role of Bright Light Therapy in psychiatric disorders: Review

Aleksy Bizan^1♦, Sylwia Mazur², Agata Mazur³, Magdalena Madera⁴, Emilia Nagórska⁵, Krzysztof Marcinkowski⁶, Karolina Strus⁷, Aleksandra Kublińska⁸, Roksana Zdunek⁹, Natalia Dąbrowska¹⁰

¹Medical Center of Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki, Miodowa 2, 05-100 Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki, Poland
²The Infant Jesus Clinical Hospital, Williama Heerleina Lindleya 4, 02-005 Warsaw, Poland
³Military Institute of Medicine- National Research Institute, Szaserów 128, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland
⁴The University Clinical Hospital named after F Chopin in Rzeszow, Fryderyka Szopena 2, 35-055 Rzeszów, Poland
⁵Czerniakowski Hospital, Stępińska 19/25, 00-739 Warsaw, Poland
⁶Independent Public Hospital them. prof. W Orlowski Medical Centre of Postgraduate Education Czerniakowska 231 Street, 00-416 Warsaw, Poland
⁷Independent Public Specialist Western Hospital named after St John Paul II, Daleka 11, 05825 Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Poland
⁸Czerniakowski Hospital, Stępińska 19/25, 00-739 Warsaw, Poland
⁹Miedzylesie Specialist Hospital in Warsaw, Bursztynowa 2, 04-749 Warsaw, Poland
¹⁰Independent Public Complex of Health Care Facilities in Pruszków; aleja Armii Krajowej 2/4, 05-800 Pruszków, Poland

^♦Corresponding Author
Medical Center of Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki, Miodowa 2, 05-100 Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki, Poland

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Bright Light Therapy (BLT) or phototherapy is a nonpharmacological intervention gaining traction for its potential efficacy in treating various psychiatric disorders. This review aims to explore BLT's therapeutic applications, mechanisms of action, and clinical implications across various psychiatric conditions. State of Knowledge: Historically, researchers have closely linked BLT to managing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) by modulating circadian rhythms disrupted by seasonal changes in light exposure. Recent advancements have expanded its applicability to a broader spectrum of mood disorders, including non-seasonal depression, bipolar disorder, sleep disorders, and depression during pregnancy. Emerging research highlights BLT's potential in these areas, particularly given the concerns about teratogenic effects associated with antidepressant medications during pregnancy. Summary: BLT shows promising therapeutic potential for various psychiatric disorders. The reviewed studies suggest that BLT could serve as a valuable adjunctive or standalone treatment option in psychiatric practice. However, it is crucial to address the limitations of the existing literature, such as small sample sizes and heterogeneous study designs. Collaborative efforts among researchers, clinicians, and healthcare practitioners are essential to better understand BLT's efficacy, mechanisms of action, and optimal clinical applications. Future research should prioritize robust randomized controlled trials that include larger participant groups and consistent methodologies. Moreover, it is crucial to conduct longitudinal studies to investigate the sustained impact of BLT on psychiatric symptoms and patient outcomes, thereby clarifying its place in psychiatric treatment frameworks.

Keywords: Bright Light Therapy; Seasonal affective disorder; Depression Treatment; Sleep Disorders

Medical Science, 2024, 28, e60ms3363

PDF

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v28i148.e60ms3363

Published: 18 June 2024