A controlled trial of the Litebook light-emitting diode (LED) light therapy device for treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

At the end of this 4 week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the proportions of participants in remission (SIGH-SAD less than 9) were significantly greater, and SIGH-SAD scores (as percent of individual score at randomization) were significantly lower with treatment with the Litebook LED light therapy device than with placebo treatment. A longitudinal repeated measures ANOVA analysis of SIGH-SAD scores also indicated a significant interaction of time and treatment. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the Litebook device is an effective therapy for SAD. There was no significant correlation between therapeutic response and expectation scores, MEQ scores, or time of treatment expressed as clock time, or as time since the midpoint of sleep. Treatment was well-tolerated, with only transient minor adverse effects.

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This is a small LED device that is used for 15 to 30 minutes a day, before 8am (and/or earliest possible when waking up). The company that makes the device was involved in the study, however they say they were not part of the clinical conduct of the trial or the analysis of unblinded data.

The portable bright light sits off to the side while you do other things. It’s unclear if regulated bright light therapy works for everyone, it “seems” like a good idea to try that could be low cost and easy to implement in people’s lives if it’s helpful. Video here. This device was mentioned in the Sport’s illustrated article “Lights Out Football” – In their never-ending quest to find a winning edge, NFL teams are turning their players on to the most accessible and natural performance-enhancer: a good night’s sleep.
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