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The effects of light therapy on depressed elders

The effects of light therapy on depressed elders Background Elderly depression has gradually become a severe issue in the health care system. No studies have focused on evaluating the effects of light therapy on the elderly with depression in a subtropical climate area. Objectives To evaluate the effects of light therapy on hospitalized, depressed elders living in a subtropical climate area. Methods Experimental design was used. For the experimental group, patients sat in front of a light box, receiving 5000 lux in the morning. The light therapy course was administered for 50 minutes per day and lasted for 5 days. The control group did not receive any treatment. Results Depressive symptoms were significantly reduced in the experimental group at post‐test but no significant decline was found in the control group. Conclusions Based upon the results of this study, light therapy could be used to decrease depressive symptoms in the elderly. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry Wiley

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References (22)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ISSN
0885-6230
eISSN
1099-1166
DOI
10.1002/gps.1125
pmid
15211533
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Background Elderly depression has gradually become a severe issue in the health care system. No studies have focused on evaluating the effects of light therapy on the elderly with depression in a subtropical climate area. Objectives To evaluate the effects of light therapy on hospitalized, depressed elders living in a subtropical climate area. Methods Experimental design was used. For the experimental group, patients sat in front of a light box, receiving 5000 lux in the morning. The light therapy course was administered for 50 minutes per day and lasted for 5 days. The control group did not receive any treatment. Results Depressive symptoms were significantly reduced in the experimental group at post‐test but no significant decline was found in the control group. Conclusions Based upon the results of this study, light therapy could be used to decrease depressive symptoms in the elderly. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Journal

International Journal of Geriatric PsychiatryWiley

Published: Jun 1, 2004

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