Light therapy with light lamps helps with autumn-winter depression
Scientists have investigated how effective and safe light therapy or vitamin D therapy is for treating autumn-winter depression. There is evidence of a benefit for therapy with light lamps. However, statements about a vitamin D treatment are not possible.
In the dark season, many people develop a seasonal depression (SAD), which is also known as winter depression, autumn-winter depression or winter or autumn blues. To prevent and to tackle it, you should exercise enough, eat a healthy diet and soak up as much daylight as possible. Light therapy with light lamps can also help.
Comparison of treatment methods
On behalf of the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), scientists from the Austrian Danube University Krems, among others, have examined with other cooperation partners how effective and safe light therapy or therapy with vitamin D for the treatment of autumn-winter depression is is.
According to a communication, the benefit assessment of a treatment of autumn-winter depression with light therapy or vitamin D therapy compared to each other, but also compared to treatment with antidepressants or psychotherapy, to a dummy treatment (placebo) or to no treatment.
Autumn-winter depressions are widespread in this country
The autumn-winter depression occurs significantly more often in northern countries than in southern countries. While there are no representative occurrence data for Germany, surveys from Austria and Switzerland report that around 2.5 percent of the population there is affected by an autumn-winter depression each year.
Those affected develop depressive symptoms in the autumn and winter months, which usually only go away completely in spring. Symptoms include depressed, depressed mood, lack of drive or loss of interest and joylessness, often also cravings for carbohydrates, increased need for sleep or weight gain.
Because the depressive episodes begin in autumn / winter, a connection between the development of an autumn-winter depression and the decrease in the number of hours of sunshine is suspected.
Since the vitamin D synthesis in the skin from the sun is not sufficient north of the 40th parallel in winter, a vitamin D deficiency can also be considered as a possible cause for the development of autumn-winter depression.
Indications of short-term benefits
According to the IQWiG, the evaluation of 21 randomized controlled light therapy studies with a total of 1,441 examined adults – with regard to the remission of the depression and the severity of the depressive symptoms – gave indications of a short-term benefit of light therapy using light lamps compared to placebo.
However, no indication of a benefit can be derived for so-called head-mounted units.
According to the experts, in a direct comparison to the antidepressant investigated or to a cognitive behavioral therapy, there is no indication of a greater benefit of light therapy using light lamps in the treatment of autumn-winter depression.
However, there is an indication that the antidepressant leads to side effects more often during treatment than light therapy using light lamps. This clue does not exist for cognitive behavior therapy.
The long-term effect of light therapy compared to placebo remains unclear, since the patient-relevant endpoints were only recorded at the end of the 2- to 8-week intervention and no further follow-up was carried out.
No meaningful study was found on the treatment of autumn-winter depression with vitamin D. Therefore, statements about the effectiveness and safety of vitamin D treatment in autumn-winter depression are not possible.
All interested persons, institutions and societies can make statements on this provisional.
Exercise in the fresh air
According to experts, it is also important to exercise enough in winter depression. Exercise is an effective antidepressant. No matter whether you go for a walk, jog or ride a bike: movement and light bring the mood to life, especially in the morning.
Proper nutrition also serves as a home remedy for winter depression. Studies have shown that a balanced diet with whole grains, vegetables and fruits can raise the mood. On the other hand, a lot of animal protein slows down the formation of serotonin by eating too much cheese, milk and meat.
This brain messenger is responsible, among other things, for regulating emotions and is often referred to as the “happiness hormone”. (Ad)
Important NOTE:
This article contains general information only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.
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