Overall , both forms of preventive light therapy reduced the incidence of SAD numerically compared with no light therapy .
BACKGROUND Seasonal affective disorder ( SAD ) is a seasonal pattern of recurrent major depressive episodes that most commonly occurs during autumn or winter and remits in spring .
The prevalence of SAD ranges from 1.5 % to 9 % , depending on latitude .
The predictable seasonal aspect of SAD provides a promising opportunity for prevention .
This review - one of four review s on efficacy and safety of interventions to prevent SAD - focuses on light therapy as a preventive intervention .
Light therapy is a non-pharmacological treatment that exposes people to artificial light .
Mode of delivery ( e.g. visors , light boxes ) and form of light ( e.g. bright white light ) vary .
OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and safety of light therapy ( in comparison with no treatment , other types of light therapy , second-generation antidepressants , melatonin , agomelatine , psychological therapies , lifestyle interventions and negative ion generators ) in preventing SAD and improving patient-centred outcomes  among adults with a history of SAD .
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for seasonal affective disorder: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND The best available treatment for seasonal affective disorder ( SAD ) is light therapy . Yet , this treatment does not prevent recurrence of depression in subsequent seasons . The aim of the study is to gain preliminary insight in the efficacy of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy ( MBCT ) in the prevention of SAD recurrence . METHODS This is a r and omized controlled pilot study , in which SAD patients in remission were r and omly allocated to an individual format of MBCT or a control condition ( i.e. treatment as usual ) . MBCT was given between May and June 2011 , when there was no presence of depressive symptoms . The Inventory for Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report ( IDS-SR ) , which patients received on a weekly basis from September 2011 to April 2012 , was used to assess moment of recurrence ( ≥20 ) and severity at moment of recurrence . RESULTS 23 SAD patients were r and omized to MBCT and 23 to the control condition . Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the groups did not differ in moment of recurrence ( χ²(1).41 , p=.52 ) . T-tests showed no group difference in mean IDS-SR scores at moment of recurrence ( t(31)=-.52 , p=.61 ) . LIMITATIONS The results are limited by small sample size ( n=46 ) and missing data of weekly IDS-SR assessment s. CONCLUSION The findings of this pilot RCT suggest that individual MBCT is not effective in preventing a SAD recurrence when offered in a symptom free period ( i.e. spring )
Overall , both forms of preventive light therapy reduced the incidence of SAD numerically compared with no light therapy .
BACKGROUND Seasonal affective disorder ( SAD ) is a seasonal pattern of recurrent major depressive episodes that most commonly occurs during autumn or winter and remits in spring .
The prevalence of SAD ranges from 1.5 % to 9 % , depending on latitude .
The predictable seasonal aspect of SAD provides a promising opportunity for prevention .
This review - one of four review s on efficacy and safety of interventions to prevent SAD - focuses on light therapy as a preventive intervention .
Light therapy is a non-pharmacological treatment that exposes people to artificial light .
Mode of delivery ( e.g. visors , light boxes ) and form of light ( e.g. bright white light ) vary .
OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and safety of light therapy ( in comparison with no treatment , other types of light therapy , second-generation antidepressants , melatonin , agomelatine , psychological therapies , lifestyle interventions and negative ion generators ) in preventing SAD and improving patient-centred outcomes  among adults with a history of SAD .