Phototherapy Light Therapy: Benefits & How It Works

Phototherapy light teatment is conducted by placing a patient in front of a bright light for a prescribed period of time and is effective at treating seasonal affective disorder.

Function

• Phototherapy light treatment augments a patient's neurochemicals by exposure to specific wavelengths of light that are identical to natural daylight. Researchers believe the artificial daylight produced improves mood and alleviates depression associated with people who do not receive enough exposure to natural daylight.

Benefits

• Patients who undergo light therapy do so as a standalone treatment or to enhance current antidepressant therapy such as medication. Patients who cannot take antidepressant medications can undergo phototherapy light treatment.

Theories/Speculation

• Although science has not been definitive, phototherapy light treatment is being studied as a possible treatment for conditions such as obsessive compulsive disorder, sleep disorders, Parkinson's disease and dementia.