Various topical emollients can affect the penetration of ultraviolet (UV) radiation during phototherapy of psoriasis.
Researchers at the University of Arizona, in Tucson, reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Using emollients to increase absorption of UV light in psoriasis
The American Psychiatric Association’s Task Force on Complementary and Alternative Medicine reviewed the evidence and report their findings.
Here are their findings. Continue reading CAM for major depressive therapy
Researchers at Goulds Naturopathica, in Hobart TAS, Australia, reviewed the evidence. Continue reading CAM (not St John’s wort) to treat depression
Researchers at the University of South Carolina in Columbia report; “bright light therapy produced a significantly greater improvement than placebo in sleep disturbances specific to post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD).”
The study (see abstract 0706) will be presented during the 24th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC. Continue reading Light therapy improves sleep in soldiers with post-traumatic stress syndrome
Researchers at the University of Washington Department of Family Medicine, in Tacoma, provide a pity review. Continue reading Does exercise relieve the symptoms of depression?
It’s very good, according to researchers at the University of Washington Department of Family Medicine, in Tacoma.
Here’s what we know. Continue reading So, just how good is exercise to treat depression?
Major depressive disorder in elderly individuals is prevalent and debilitating.
Researchers from the Netherlands measured the response to bright light therapy (BLT) in elderly patients with major depressive disorder. Continue reading Light therapy for depressed older people
Millions of people habitually expose themselves to room light between dusk and bedtime, yet the effects of this behavior on melatonin are not well recognized.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School in Boston, measured the effects of room light in the late evening. Continue reading Effects of exposure to room light before bedtime
Researchers from the Netherlands set about to determine whether the progressive changes in symptoms seen in dementia might be affected by the 2 major synchronizers of the circadian timing system: bright light and melatonin. Continue reading Bright light, melatonin, and dementia
Bright visible-spectrum light therapy is effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Basic research suggests that blue wavelengths approximately 470 nm account for that effectiveness.
To confirm these findings, researchers from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, tested blue light in people with SAD. Continue reading Treating SAD with blue light
Sarah Pullman writes about her experience with The LiteBook Elite. She suffers from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and had success with the older model.
I thought it might be useful to read her anecdotal experience in light (Oops! Couldn’t help myself) of what we know from the literature. Also, Shoi, who has the credentials, comments on the post.
Continue reading Light therapy for seasonal affective disorder
Further research is needed, but Dr. Marlene Freeman from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas brings us up to date. Continue reading CAM for perinatal depression
Before we start, let’s define “lux.” Even though it won’t help you understand the results of the study. Continue reading Using light to improve sleep in adults with dementia
Actually, they reviewed more than CAM, but that’s what will be covered here.
Continue reading British Association for Psychopharmacology rates CAM for dementia
In an earlier post on the topic of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a reader emphasized the importance of recognizing the influence of the circadian pacemaker on depression, and its importance when scheduling light treatment.
So, let’s update the record. Continue reading Light treatment for seasonal affective disorder
Fatigue and impaired daytime functioning, confusion, altered timing of bowel movements, and sleep disturbance are all signs of jet lag. An article on Medscape lists options to manage jet lag.
The article covers many treatment options. CAM options are listed here.