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SAD Research
Alternative
& Complementary Therapies
Light Therapy
& SAD
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of clinical depression
that regularly occurs in the winter, with normal mood in the summer.
Light
therapy is an effective and safe treatment for SAD. Other treatments for
depression (for example, medications) are also effective. Self-diagnosis
or treatment of SAD is not recommended because there are other medical
causes for depressive symptoms, and because light therapy may be harmful
to people with certain medical conditions (for example, eye disease). See
your doctor first!
Although light therapy is effective for SAD, we still do not fully
understand how the light works and what is the best method for light
therapy. There are now many light therapy devices available on the market
that make claims about light treatment, but light therapy devices are not
well regulated in Canada. Therefore, we believe it is wise to be cautious
about recommending light therapy devices. We have no financial interest in
any light device companies.
Our recommendations are based on the following
principles:
- the light device should be tested in scientifically valid studies
- the light device should have a filter that blocks the ultraviolet
rays
- the light device should be CSA approved in Canada,
- the light device company should have a track record of reliability.
It is recommended that either a 10,000 lux light box or a light visor because
they have been extensively tested in scientific studies, and we have
experience with these devices. These two devices fullfill all the criteria
above. The other light devices marketed, to our knowledge, do not meet all
of these criteria.
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This page was last updated on 05 December 2006 16:56:10
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