With the weather changing and the days getting shorter, many people come to feel the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), in which symptoms of depression are felt in concurrence with the fall and winter months. Particularly in Canada, where this seasonal change is intense and unavoidable, it is crucial for research to look into what sorts of intervention and prevention techniques are effective in reducing SAD symptoms and their impacts. Light therapy has been well-studied in the treatment of SAD, and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) has been well-studied in the treatment of depression unrelated to seasonal change. As such, Rohan et al., conducted a study to investigate possible additive effects of the two treatments implemented together in the management of SAD. 

Adult participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 different treatment groups; group cognitive-behavioural therapy alone, light therapy alone, or group CBT and light therapy together. Scores for SAD and general depression were obtained at three time points to allow for comparisons between groups. Time 1 was before any treatment was administered, time 2 was immediately after the treatment was completed, and time 3 was 1-year later. 

Participants from all treatment groups had lower scores of both seasonal depression and depression unrelated to seasonal change. While scores between treatment groups did not differ on a statistically significant level, the group with the highest percentage of participants in remission at the 1-year follow-up was the CBT and light therapy combined treatment. No participants from either the CBT alone or CBT and light therapy group were in relapse at the 1-year follow-up, while over 60% of the light therapy alone group were in relapse. 

The preliminary results from this study suggest that CBT shows promise in helping to ease the symptoms and impacts of seasonal affective disorder, particularly when it is used in combination with light therapy techniques. Further studies should continue to look into this relationship and explore the potential variability in administering and implementing these treatments for different populations. For readers of this column, who worry about the effects the colder months have on their mood, looking into interventions that involve cognitive-behavioural therapy and/or light therapy, seems to be worthwhile.

Graphics: Tej Mistry

Source:

Rohan, K. J., Lindsey, K. T., Roecklein, K. A. & Lacy, T. J. (2004). Cognitive-behavioral therapy, light therapy, and their combination in treating seasonal affective disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders, 80(2), 273-283. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-0327(03)00098-3