Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Is bright light therapy effective for treating the depression associated with premenstrual dysphoric disorder?




Is bright light therapy effective for treating the depression associated with premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Light therapy consists of exposure to full-spectrum light for a prescribed amount of time. A recent meta-analysis of bright light therapy published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology concluded that “the current evidence justifies neither enthusiastic dissemination nor confident rejection of this therapeutic modality.”5

Essentially, this suggests that more research is required to study the potential benefit of this treatment for PMS.  However, given the relative safety of this type of therapy, it may be worth trying for those who suffer from PMS.  Talk to your doctor before starting any new therapy.

Reference:

Krasnik C, Montori VM, Guyatt GH, Heels-Ansdell D, Brusse JW; Medically Unexplained Syndromes Study Group. The effect of bright light therapy on depression associated with premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Am J Gynecol. 2005 Sep;193(3 Pt 1):658-61.

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