Chronotherapeutic Treatments for Psychiatric Disorders: A Narrative Review of Recent Literature

This narrative review examines the newest findings from clinical trials of chronotherapeutics for psychiatric disorders. We reviewed the potential effects of the most commonly-studied chronotherapeutics such as bright light therapy, dark therapy, melatonin, and chronotherapy on the psychiatric disorders of depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders.

The preponderance of recent clinical trials in chronotherapeutics has focused on bright light therapy in depression. However, there is an emerging body of preliminary studies testing chronotherapeutics in other psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Chronotherapeutics hold potential to improve sleep in adults with psychiatric conditions as well as psychiatric symptoms. Although the most recent literature demonstrates the promise of these interventions, the current body of work is limited by small sample sizes and relatively few studies outside of depression. Larger-scale trials are needed to refine treatment protocols, develop personalized treatment approaches, and inform dissemination. Studies in psychiatric conditions besides depression are particularly needed.