Bright dawn simulation compared with bright morning light in the treatment of winter depression

In a randomized cross-over design, 7 patients with winter depression were treated with a week of a bright (1700 lx) dawn simulation (0400 to 0600) and a week of standard bright (1700 lx) morning (0600 to 0800) light therapy. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores decreased significantly for the standard light therapy (18.9 to 6.6) but not for the bright dawn therapy (18.0 to 11.3). Early morning awakening was a frequent side effect with the bright dawn simulation. Although dawn simulation at a lower illuminance may be an effective treatment, the bright dawn used in this study showed only a nonsignificant trend to lower depression ratings. The illuminance of dawn simulation should be adjusted to minimize side effects.