Phototherapy in the treatment of depression in the terminally ill

Research in affective disorders has shown that there is a clear link between mood and light exposure, and that exposure to bright wide-spectrum light (phototherapy) may be an effective antidepressant treatment in some clinical situations. Cancer patients, especially those in the terminal phase of illness, have a high incidence of depression. Furthermore, their mobility is often severely reduced, resulting in little exposure to direct sunlight. We report the use of phototherapy in three terminally ill patients to alleviate symptoms of depression.