Document Detail


Randomized trial of the efficacy of bright-light exposure and aerobic exercise on depressive symptoms and serum lipids.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  12000205     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Season-related subsyndromal depressive symptoms during winter are common among populations at high latitudes. Both physical exercise and exposure to bright light can relieve the fatigue and downturn of mood associated with the shortening length of day. Serum cholesterol level may be related to changes in mood, but the evidence is contradictory. Our objective was to compare the effect of aerobic exercise with or without bright-light exposure on health-related quality of life, mood, and serum lipids in a sample of relatively healthy adult subjects. METHOD: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with subjects allocated to group aerobics training in a gym with bright light (2500-4000 lux) (N = 40) or normal illumination (N = 42) or to relaxation/stretching sessions in bright light as a control group (N = 42) twice a week for a period of 8 weeks. Changes in mood were recorded using questionnaires at the beginning of the study, at weeks 4 and 8. and at follow-up 4 months after the study. A blood sample was drawn before and after the 8-week intervention to measure the concentrations of serum lipids. RESULTS: Ninety-eight subjects completed the 8-week study. Both exercise and bright light effectively relieved depressive symptoms. Bright light reduced atypical depressive symptoms more than exercise (p = .03), based on the atypical symptoms subscore of the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-Seasonal Affective Disorders Version Self-Rating Format. There were no significant differences between the study groups in the changes in serum lipid levels. CONCLUSION: Bright light administered twice a week, alone or combined with physical exercise, seems to be a useful intervention for relieving seasonal mood slumps.
Authors:
Sami J Leppämäki; Timo T Partonen; Jukka Hurme; Jari K Haukka; Jouko K Lönnqvist
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Clinical Trial; Comparative Study; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Journal of clinical psychiatry     Volume:  63     ISSN:  0160-6689     ISO Abbreviation:  J Clin Psychiatry     Publication Date:  2002 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2002-05-09     Completed Date:  2002-05-31     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7801243     Medline TA:  J Clin Psychiatry     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  316-21     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland. sami.leppamaki@ktl.fi
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Combined Modality Therapy
Exercise*
Exercise Therapy / methods*
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Health Status Indicators
Humans
Lipids / blood*
Male
Middle Aged
Phototherapy*
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Quality of Life
Seasonal Affective Disorder / blood*,  diagnosis,  therapy*
Treatment Outcome
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Lipids

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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