Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for the Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Depression Clinical Trial

Official title: Cognitive Behavioral Approaches to Seasonal Depression

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

This study will assess the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating seasonal affective disorder (SAD), commonly called the "winter blues."

Clinical Trial Description

SAD is a condition in which people experience depression as a result of seasonal variations in sunlight. Although light therapy is a common treatment for SAD, a large proportion of people with SAD are resistant to this treatment. CBT is effective for nonseasonal depressive disorders, but its use for SAD has not been thoroughly explored. This study will determine whether CBT, alone and combined with light therapy, is as effective as light therapy alone in reducing SAD symptoms.

Participants in this study will be randomly assigned to light therapy, CBT, a combination of light therapy and CBT, or a control group (no therapy) for 6 weeks. CBT will be conducted twice a week; light therapy will be conducted twice a day. Assessments will be made before, during, and after the study treatment. Depression scales, questionnaires, and behavioral tasks will be used to assess the depressive symptoms of participants. A 6-month and 1-year follow-up visit will also be conducted. During the follow-up visits, participants will be interviewed and will complete a questionnaire and a survey. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Single Blind, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Depression
• Mood Disorders
• Seasonal Affective Disorder

• NCT number: NCT00076245
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 1
• Start date: November 2002
• Completion date: November 2005