This study investigates the potential efficacy of two nonpharmacologic treatments for nonseasonal depression, bright light exposure or high-density negative air ion exposure.
Treatments are self-administered at home by the patient under close clinical supervision.
This is a multi-center study, conducted under the supervision of Dr. Michael Terman, director of the Clinical Chronobiology Program at Columbia Presbyterian Medical. The program has been a leader in NIH-sponsored research on nonpharmacologic treatment of depression since the start of this field more than 15 years ago. Both factors are often deficient indoors. We hypothesize that increasing indoor light and negative ions levels will have a therapeutic effect for chronic depression. The treatment program lasts about 10 weeks.