Short-term effects of bright light therapy in adults with chronic nonspecific back pain: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The present trial evaluated incorporation of bright light therapy in the treatment of chronic nonspecific back pain (CNBP). DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter, open design with three parallel trial arms was used. SETTING: Subjects received a novel therapeutic, an expected therapeutic ineffective low dose, or no light exposure at three different medical centers. PATIENTS: A total of 125 CNBP patients reporting pain intensity of ≥3 points on item 5 of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) were included. INTERVENTION: Over 3 weeks, 36 active treatment, 36 placebo controls, and 33 controls received 3 or no supplementary light exposures of 5.000 lx or 230 lx, respectively. OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in self-reported scores of pain intensity (BPI sub-score 1) and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire) were the primary outcome measures. Secondary outcome measures were changes in self-reported overall pain sensation (BPI total score), grade of everyday life impairment (BPI sub-score 2), mood (visual analog scale), and well-being (World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index). RESULTS: Changes in pain intensity were higher (1.0 [0.8-1.6]) in the bright light group compared with controls (0.3 [-0.1-0.8]; effect size D = 0.46). Changes in the depression score were also higher in the intervention group (1.5 [0.0-2.5]) compared with controls (0.0 [0.0-2.0]; effect size D = 0.86). No differences were seen in change scores between intervention vs sham group. CONCLUSION: The present randomized controlled trial shows that light therapy even in low dose could improve depressive symptoms and reduce pain intensity in CNBP patients. Further research is needed for optimizing parameters of frequency, dose, and duration of therapeutic light exposure.

Bright light therapy: Minimizing light induced side effects with an innovative light setup.

Abstract Objective. Bright light therapy (BLT) is regarded to be an effective treatment against seasonal depression (SAD). Conventional BLT devices are reported to evoke few, but inconvenient symptoms. This study evaluated side effects associated with a new technology for BLT in a healthy population. Methods. In an uncontrolled study design 20 healthy Caucasians received 30 min light exposures on three consecutive mornings. Immediate side effects were evaluated using questionnaires. The new light cabin was equipped with fluorescent lamps (light colour 965 = 6,500 K, CRI >90) with a maximum illumination of 5,000 lux and a maximum luminance of 1,500 cd/m(2). Occurrence of headache was determined to be the main objective. Results. Nineteen volunteers completed the study. No headache was reported at any time. With a prevalence of 21.1% blurring was observed to occur more often after light exposure. Conclusion. With the evaluated light cabin the most prominent short-term side effects of BLT can be minimized, enhancing patients' adherence.