Website intended for a NZ health professional readership
How effective is light therapy in preventing seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in adults?
There is limited evidence on light therapy as a preventive treatment for patients with a history of SAD. A single small study (46 participants) showed both bright white light and infrared light reduced the incidence of SAD, numerically, compared with no light therapy, but the quality of evidence for all outcomes was very low. The study provided no information on side effects of light therapy.
Reasons for downgrading evidence quality included high risk of bias of the included study, imprecision and other limitations, such as self-rating of outcomes, lack of checking of compliance throughout the study duration and insufficient reporting of participant characteristics.
SAD is a seasonal pattern of recurrent major depressive episodes that most commonly occurs during autumn or winter, and remits in spring. The prevalence of SAD ranges from 1.5% to 9%, depending on latitude. The predictable seasonal aspect of SAD provides a promising opportunity for prevention.
Nussbaumer B et al. Light therapy for preventing seasonal affective disorder. Cochrane Reviews, 2015, Issue 11. Art. No.: CD011269.DOI: 10.1002/14651858. CD011269.pub2. This review contains 1 study involving 46 participants.
Cochrane Systematic Reviews for primary care practitioners
Developed by the Cochrane Primary Care Field, New Zealand Branch of the Australasian Cochrane Centre at the Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Auckland and funded by the Ministry of Health and New Zealand Doctor. PEARLS are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care. New Zealanders can access the Cochrane Library free via www.cochrane.org.nz
Pharmacist prescribers Linda Bryant and Leanne Te Karu discuss positive polypharmacy for heart failure. Current evidence shows the intensive implementation of four medications offers the greatest benefit to most patients with heart failure, with significant reductions in cardiovascular mortality, heart failure hospitalisations and all-cause mortality
