Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Postolache, T. T. Articles by Rosenthal, N. E. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Postolache, T. T. Articles by Rosenthal, N. E. Seasonal Affective Disorder Other Somatic Therapy

Greater Improvement in Summer Than With Light Treatment in Winter in Patients With Seasonal Affective Disorder

Objective:The authors sought to compare the degree of mood improvement after light treatment with mood improvement in the subsequent summer in patients with seasonal affective disorder. Method:By using the Seasonal Affective Disorder Version of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the authors rated 15 patients with seasonal affective disorder on three occasions: during winter when the patients were depressed, during winter following 2 weeks of light therapy, and during the following summer. They compared the three conditions by using Friedman's analysis of variance and the Wilcoxon signed ranks test.Results:The patients' scores on the depression scale were significantly higher after 2 weeks of light therapy in winter than during the following summer. Conclusions:Light treatment for 2 weeks in winter is only partially effective when compared to summer. Further studies will be necessary to assess if summer's light or other factors are the main contributors to this difference. Am J Psychiatry 1998; 155: 1614-1616

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. T. Postolache, T. A. Wehr, R. L. Doty, L. Sher, E. H. Turner, J. J. Bartko, and N. E. Rosenthal Patients With Seasonal Affective Disorder Have Lower Odor Detection Thresholds Than Control Subjects Arch Gen Psychiatry, December 1, 2002; 59(12): 1119 - 1122. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 1998 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us