Bright light augmentation in antidepressant nonresponders.

BACKGROUND

This study was designed to examine the potential benefit of the addition of bright lights to antidepressant treatment in depressed subjects.

METHOD

Ten patients who presented during the winter months with major depression and who had failed an adequate trial of antidepressants or who had relapsed following a successful course of antidepressants underwent a 2-week course of bright light therapy.

RESULTS

Augmentation with bright lights resulted in substantial improvement in 7 of the 10 patients.

CONCLUSION

Bright light augmentation may provide a useful treatment alternative for patients with treatment-resistant depression.