A Magnusson1. 1. National Centre for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ullevål Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether light therapy during winter is beneficial to adolescents with symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SETTING: The 3 largest colleges in Reykjavik, Iceland. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen college students, 18 and 19 years old, suffering from symptoms of SAD. OUTCOME MEASURES: School attendance and self-reported change in indicators (concentration, ability to awaken in the morning, and frequency of breakfast). RESULTS: Light therapy helped some of the students concentrate and wake up in the morning, usually only to a mild degree, but did not improve school attendance. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of effect of light therapy on school attendance in a group of students with symptoms of SAD indicates that school attendance is influenced by several complex factors, of which seasonal disorders are not a major determinant, even in those most at risk.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether light therapy during winter is beneficial to adolescents with symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SETTING: The 3 largest colleges in Reykjavik, Iceland. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen college students, 18 and 19 years old, suffering from symptoms of SAD. OUTCOME MEASURES: School attendance and self-reported change in indicators (concentration, ability to awaken in the morning, and frequency of breakfast). RESULTS: Light therapy helped some of the students concentrate and wake up in the morning, usually only to a mild degree, but did not improve school attendance. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of effect of light therapy on school attendance in a group of students with symptoms of SAD indicates that school attendance is influenced by several complex factors, of which seasonal disorders are not a major determinant, even in those most at risk.
Authors: N E Rosenthal; D A Sack; J C Gillin; A J Lewy; F K Goodwin; Y Davenport; P S Mueller; D A Newsome; T A Wehr Journal: Arch Gen Psychiatry Date: 1984-01
Authors: L N Rosen; S D Targum; M Terman; M J Bryant; H Hoffman; S F Kasper; J R Hamovit; J P Docherty; B Welch; N E Rosenthal Journal: Psychiatry Res Date: 1990-02 Impact factor: 3.222
Authors: S E Swedo; J D Pleeter; D M Richter; C L Hoffman; A J Allen; S D Hamburger; E H Turner; E M Yamada; N E Rosenthal Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 1995-07 Impact factor: 18.112