Am J Psychiatry April 2005 PMID 15800134

The efficacy of light therapy in the treatment of mood disorders: a review and meta-analysis of the evidence.

Robert N Golden, Bradley N Gaynes, R David Ekstrom, Robert M Hamer, Frederick M Jacobsen, Trisha Suppes, Katherine L Wisner, Charles B Nemeroff

Mentions

67
Peak: 23 in Feb 2019
across 5 sources since Feb 2019

Extended reach

800,927
potential audience

Total likes

294

Video views

35

Mentions per month

Feb 2019 – Dec 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter45 posts
  • News10 articles
  • Facebook7 posts
  • TikTok3 posts
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Overall, the discussions reflect a strong consensus on the efficacy and significance of light therapy for mood disorders, with posts highlighting meta-analyses, effect sizes, and professional guidelines. Words like 'equivalent to antidepressants,' 'clinical guidelines,' and 'low cost' reveal a tone of importance and validation, emphasizing the therapy’s promising role in mental health treatment and community interest in broader adoption.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions strongly support the effectiveness of light therapy, citing studies that show it is comparable to antidepressants and emphasizing its positive results.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions demonstrate high interest, with users referencing key findings, major reviews, and clinical guidelines, indicating engagement with the topic's significance.

EngagementHigh engagement

Several posts quote specific effect sizes, mention meta-analyses, and discuss clinical implications, showing deep engagement with the evidence and its practical use.

ImpactHigh impact

The posts highlight the potential of light therapy as a cost-effective, low-risk treatment with comparable results to medication, emphasizing its importance within the field of mood disorder treatments.

Abstract in brief

  • This review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of light therapy for mood disorders, focusing on randomized controlled trials from 1975 to 2003, and found only 13 studies meeting strict criteria.
  • Results showed that bright light therapy and dawn simulation significantly reduce depression symptoms in seasonal affective disorder (effect sizes around 0.84 and 0.73), as well as in nonseasonal depression (effect size around 0.53), with these effects comparable to typical antidepressant treatments.
  • However, many studies lacked rigorous design elements, such as proper control conditions or large sample sizes, highlighting the need for standardized protocols to better assess light therapy's true efficacy for mood disorders.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
P.D. Mangan Health & Freedom Maximalist
@Mangan150 · X

Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy trials." No toxic side effects and low cost. No wonder you don't hear a lot about it. https://t.co/BFfHrDiHvy

Feb 6, 2019 · 112 likes · 26 shares · 302,809 followers View post →
персональный тренер математических моделей
@QuantStrength · X

"это какая-то хуйня и не работает" Нет, не хуйня, потому что мета-анализ рандомизированных клинических испытаний показывает сопоставимый с фарм препаратами размер эффекта (cohen's d = 0.73) для лечения сезонных аффективных расстройств https://t.co/nPqTSeEWPM

Nov 12, 2022 · 102 likes · 7,475 followers View post →
P.D. Mangan Health & Freedom Maximalist
@Mangan150 · X

Bright light therapy for mood disorders appears to be at least as effective as antidepressants. https://t.co/BFfHrDiHvy

Oct 20, 2022 · 72 likes · 13 shares · 302,809 followers View post →
Sam Berne
@DrSamBerne · X

Light Therapy has been shown to reduce mood! Researchers did a randomized, controlled trial and the results suggest bright light treatment and dawn stimulation for SAD and nonseasonal depression are helpful. Link: https://t.co/pvOxJqBwFf

Jun 1, 2021 · 2 likes · 1,255 followers View post →
Per R.R. Köhler
@PerKohler · X

@victorsmalm https://t.co/A9Ompb7Bwn

Nov 15, 2020 · 1 like · 5,907 followers View post →
ぬ
@inkyavanzai · X

@ayapan2017 これ https://t.co/wANOHVvyZo

Dec 7, 2022 · 1 like · 258 followers View post →

All mentions

Jonathan Cedernaes
@JCedernaes · X

Det är synd att ljusterapi inte betonas mer i svenska behandlingsprogram (omnämns t.ex. inte alls här https://t.co/JQ8zzgbFP9) för säsongsbunden depression: Meta-analyser har indikerat att terapin är likvärdig med antidepressiv medicinering: https://t.co/WDpBLMeGh2 https://t.co/aMZh6drxRI

Mar 17, 2024 · 3,121 followers View post →
ぬ
@inkyavanzai · X

@ayapan2017 これ https://t.co/wANOHVvyZo

Dec 7, 2022 · 1 like · 258 followers View post →
ぬ
@inkyavanzai · X

@ayapan2017 雑に話す 日照時間と抑うつの関係って話だと思うんだけど,日照時間って光の暴露が抑うつにいいよねって話になると思うんよ。いわゆる冬期うつに光の暴露(光療法)が効果的という話はGolden et al.(2005)あたりが詳しいかも~ 10.1176/appi.ajp.162.4.656

Dec 7, 2022 · 1 like · 258 followers View post →
персональный тренер математических моделей
@QuantStrength · X

"это какая-то хуйня и не работает" Нет, не хуйня, потому что мета-анализ рандомизированных клинических испытаний показывает сопоставимый с фарм препаратами размер эффекта (cohen's d = 0.73) для лечения сезонных аффективных расстройств https://t.co/nPqTSeEWPM

Nov 12, 2022 · 102 likes · 7,475 followers View post →
Maskul
@MaskulNitespore · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for mood disorders appears to be at least as effective as antidepressants. https://t.co/BFfHrDiHvy

Oct 22, 2022 · 13 shares · 490 followers View post →
Dupont Daniel
@DupontDaniel2 · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for mood disorders appears to be at least as effective as antidepressants. https://t.co/BFfHrDiHvy

Oct 21, 2022 · 13 shares · 23 followers View post →
Dr Shelley James
@DrShelleyJames · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for mood disorders appears to be at least as effective as antidepressants. https://t.co/BFfHrDiHvy

Oct 20, 2022 · 13 shares · 425 followers View post →
7TH GEN MICH
@DonLitt12482658 · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for mood disorders appears to be at least as effective as antidepressants. https://t.co/BFfHrDiHvy

Oct 20, 2022 · 13 shares · 3,103 followers View post →
George Dorunda
@Dorunda · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for mood disorders appears to be at least as effective as antidepressants. https://t.co/BFfHrDiHvy

Oct 20, 2022 · 13 shares · 2,153 followers View post →
Panic in Needle Park
@blackpugs · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for mood disorders appears to be at least as effective as antidepressants. https://t.co/BFfHrDiHvy

Oct 20, 2022 · 13 shares · 2,259 followers View post →
Magnesium Girl - yin solutions for a yang world
@LocalRachel · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for mood disorders appears to be at least as effective as antidepressants. https://t.co/BFfHrDiHvy

Oct 20, 2022 · 13 shares · 8,846 followers View post →
ResilientDad | Optimal Health By Nature
@ResilientDad · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for mood disorders appears to be at least as effective as antidepressants. https://t.co/BFfHrDiHvy

Oct 20, 2022 · 13 shares · 13,351 followers View post →
A.S. Stuart
@JoshSmi69663663 · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for mood disorders appears to be at least as effective as antidepressants. https://t.co/BFfHrDiHvy

Oct 20, 2022 · 13 shares · 65 followers View post →
Athena Nalina
@nnalinas · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for mood disorders appears to be at least as effective as antidepressants. https://t.co/BFfHrDiHvy

Oct 20, 2022 · 13 shares · 3,645 followers View post →
P.D. Mangan Health & Freedom Maximalist
@Mangan150 · X

Bright light therapy for mood disorders appears to be at least as effective as antidepressants. https://t.co/BFfHrDiHvy

Oct 20, 2022 · 72 likes · 13 shares · 302,809 followers View post →
tokatti
@tokatti_ · X

2005年のメタ分析 1975〜2003年の間に行われたライトセラピーに関する実験データを精査した 結果 明け方の光を模したライトセラピーはメンタルの悪化に明確な効果がある その効果量は抗うつ剤を使った治療法と同じレベル https://t.co/pNvhQu8dpd 2005年のレビューに論文 通常の光目覚まし時計は春

Oct 6, 2021 · 189 followers View post →
Sam Berne
@DrSamBerne · X

Light Therapy has been shown to reduce mood! Researchers did a randomized, controlled trial and the results suggest bright light treatment and dawn stimulation for SAD and nonseasonal depression are helpful. Link: https://t.co/pvOxJqBwFf

Jun 1, 2021 · 2 likes · 1,255 followers View post →
Mark Oldham
@MarkOldhamMD · X

5/ Here's the seminal review from the American Psychiatric Association that found light therapy to be efficacious for depression (despite its 2 errors, see below) and led to light therapy's inclusion in the APA clinical guidelines for depression: https://t.co/zCR1C2hDBo

Nov 21, 2020 · 2,301 followers View post →
Per R.R. Köhler
@PerKohler · X

@victorsmalm https://t.co/A9Ompb7Bwn

Nov 15, 2020 · 1 like · 5,907 followers View post →
Dr. Armin Tank, PhD
@nomadperform · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Aug 5, 2019 · 26 shares · 28 followers View post →
Toine Schoutens
@toineschoutens · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Aug 5, 2019 · 26 shares · 1,633 followers View post →
Luminoterapia Col
@Luminoterapia · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Aug 5, 2019 · 26 shares · 57 followers View post →
ılı Just Me ılı
@leannesnz · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 8, 2019 · 26 shares · 283 followers View post →
Nutricionista Jônatas Galasso
@Jojolowcarb · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 8, 2019 · 26 shares · 616 followers View post →
Dave Grawoig, Ph.D.
@grawoig · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 7, 2019 · 26 shares · 6,528 followers View post →
JeffHenig at GAB
@arprisonchap · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 7, 2019 · 26 shares · 1,012 followers View post →
WingsnPrayers
@WingsnPrayers · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 7, 2019 · 26 shares · 121 followers View post →
WolfPrincess
@MontLupus · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 7, 2019 · 26 shares · 11,407 followers View post →
#No2Treason
@netzona · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 7, 2019 · 26 shares · 1,694 followers View post →
Laura Huber
@lah867 · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 7, 2019 · 26 shares · 847 followers View post →
Nicolas de Cues
@NickdeCusa · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 7, 2019 · 26 shares · 4,373 followers View post →
Bianca
@biancadeportu · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 6, 2019 · 26 shares · 75 followers View post →
Hans G. Schantz
@AetherCzar · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 6, 2019 · 26 shares · 11,944 followers View post →
Nandini Kamath
@kamathnandini1 · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 6, 2019 · 26 shares · 1,169 followers View post →
Office of Bhagwaan Uvacha
@BhagwaanUvacha · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 6, 2019 · 26 shares · 15,501 followers View post →
Dr Quark, phD
@KaptinAmerika · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 6, 2019 · 26 shares · 239 followers View post →
TackyTeddy
@TackyTeddy · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 6, 2019 · 26 shares · 724 followers View post →
Isegoria
@Isegoria · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 6, 2019 · 26 shares · 1,793 followers View post →
The Good Householder
@divine_dividend · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 6, 2019 · 26 shares · 687 followers View post →
Hold The Line
@MiloWear1A · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 6, 2019 · 26 shares · 2,912 followers View post →
Brett L. ©
@StickmanBleedin · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 6, 2019 · 26 shares · 22,858 followers View post →
Cleveland A. Smiff♐️
@ddawgsports · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 6, 2019 · 26 shares · 620 followers View post →
Zaid K. Dahhaj
@zaidkdahhaj · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 6, 2019 · 26 shares · 49,329 followers View post →
Scribble
@Juego_de_gato · X

RT @Mangan150: Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy tri…

Feb 6, 2019 · 26 shares · 1,863 followers View post →
P.D. Mangan Health & Freedom Maximalist
@Mangan150 · X

Bright light therapy for depression works, "with effect sizes equivalent to those in most antidepressant pharmacotherapy trials." No toxic side effects and low cost. No wonder you don't hear a lot about it. https://t.co/BFfHrDiHvy

Feb 6, 2019 · 112 likes · 26 shares · 302,809 followers View post →
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(link to meta-analysis: https://ajp.psychiatryonline. org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ajp.162.4.656) · Cherith Prince ir dar 12 žm.

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