Side-effects of phototherapy in nonseasonal depressive disorder

The data of the Berlin light therapy study were systematically reinvestigated for side-effects of light therapy as described in the literature. Forty-two patients with major depressive disorder (RDC), who also met the criteria of ICD-9 (296.1 and 296.3), were included. Patients were either given bright white-light treatment (2,500 lux) or dim red-light treatment (50 lux) from 7.20 a.m. to 9.20 a.m. every morning for a period of seven days. The study did not reveal any differences in side-effects between the two treatments. The results are discussed in relation to the two different treatment conditions.