Karger Publishers, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 4(75), p. 244-248, 2006
DOI: 10.1159/000092895
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<i>Background:</i>Post-stroke depression affects the outcome of stroke rehabilitation and is observed in approximately 30% of all stroke patients. We investigated whether the addition of light treatment to medical antidepressants influences the course of depression as measured by the Hamilton Depression Scale. <i>Methods:</i> The effect of a combination of light therapy and citalopram in stroke victims receiving citalopram was examined by use of two different doses of light therapy under double-blind conditions. Altogether, 63 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 74.9 years. <i>Results:</i> After 4 weeks of therapy, the 6-item subscale of the Hamilton Depression Scale showed a statistically significantly larger improvement in patients receiving high-intensity light treatment compared to those treated with medium-intensity light (p < 0.05). <i>Conclusion:</i> This pilot study demonstrates a dose response effect of light used as an adjunct therapy to antidepressants in post-stroke patients with major depression.