Body mass index and atypical balance as predictors of winter depression remission in cognitive-behavioral therapy and light therapy

Effects of phototherapy on biopterin, neopterin, tryptophan, and behavioral neuroinflammatory reaction in patients with post-stroke depression

The aim of this study was to investigate the overall effects of phototherapy on biopterin (BH4), neopterin (BH2), tryptophan (Trp), and behavioral neuroinflammatory reaction in patients with post-stroke depression. There involved a total of 100 hospitalized patients with post-stroke depression at our hospital from February 2021 to December 2022. The participants enrolled were randomly assigned to either the control group or the experimental group. The control group received routine treatment, including medication and psychological support, while the experimental group received 30 min of phototherapy daily for 8 weeks. All participantsvoluntarily participated in the study and provided informed consent. Baseline characteristics of the patients were statistically analyzed. The severity of depressive symptoms was evaluated using the hamilton depression scale (HAMD) and the beck depression inventory (BDI). Levels of amino acid neurotransmitters, including gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), aspartic acid (Asp), and glutamic acid (Glu), were measured using radioimmunoassay. Plasma levels of neuroinflammatory factors, such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were, determined using ELISA. Plasma levels of BH4, BH2, and Trp were detected by HPLC. Levels of SOD, GPx, CAT, and MDA in plasma were measured using corresponding kits and colorimetry. Quality of life was assessed using the SF-36 scale. There were no differences in baseline characteristic between the two groups (P > 0.05). The HAMD and BDI scores in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05), indicating phototherapy could reduce the severity of post-stroke depression. The levels of GABA, Glu, and Asp in both groups significantly increased after treatment compared to their respective levels before treatment (P < 0.01).The levels of GABA in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.01),while the levels of Glu, and Asp were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.01). The plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the experimental group were evidently lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the levels of BH4 and Trp in experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05), while the levelsof BH2 in the experimental group were significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the levels of SOD, GPx, and CAT in the experimental group were evidently higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05), whereas the levels of MDA in the experimental group were significantly lower than control group (P < 0.05). The experimental group showed higher scores in physical function, mental health, social function, and overall health compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Phototherapy exerted a profound impact on the metabolism of BH4, BH2, and Trp, as well as on behavioral neuroinflammatory reactions and the quality of life in patients suffering from post-stroke depression. Through its ability to optimize the secretion and synthesis of neurotransmitters, phototherapy effectively regulated neuroinflammatory reactions, improved biochemical parameters, enhancedantioxidant capacity, and alleviated depressive symptoms. As a result, phototherapy was considered a valuable adjuvant therapeutic approach for patients with post-stroke depression.

The role of immuno-metabolic depression features in the effects of light therapy in patients with depression and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

Immuno-metabolic depression (IMD) is proposed to be a form of depression encompassing atypical, energy-related symptoms (AES), low-grade inflammation and metabolic dysregulations. Light therapy may alleviate AES by modulating inflammatory and metabolic pathways. We investigated whether light therapy improves clinical and biological IMD features and whether effects of light therapy on AES or depressive symptom severity are moderated by baseline IMD features. Associations between changes in symptoms and biomarkers were explored.

METHODS

In secondary analyses, clinical trial data was used from 77 individuals with depression and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) randomized to four weeks of light therapy or placebo. AES severity and depressive symptom severity were based on the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology. Biomarkers included 73 metabolites (Nightingale) summarized in three principal components and CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, INF-γ. Linear regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Light therapy had no effect on AES severity, inflammatory markers and metabolite principle components versus placebo. None of these baseline features moderated the effects of light therapy on AES severity. Only a principle component reflecting metabolites implicated in glucose homeostasis moderated the effects of light therapy on depressive symptom severity (βinteraction = 0.65, P = 0.001, FDR = 0.003). Changes in AES were not associated with changes in biomarkers.

CONCLUSION

Findings do not support the efficacy of light therapy in reducing IMD features in patients with depression and T2DM. We find limited evidence that light therapy is a more beneficial depression treatment among those with more IMD features. Changes in clinical and biological IMD features did not align over four-weeks' time.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The Netherlands Trial Register (NTR) NTR4942.

Effectiveness of Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for employees with depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives. The effectiveness of Internet interventions for employees with depressive disorder remains controversial. We summarized all available evidence exploring the role of Internet interventions in reducing employees' depressive symptoms. Methods. This study was a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis that included acceptability and preliminary feasibility studies. We excluded programme descriptions, discussion articles and study protocols. We followed the PRISMA guidelines and searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science from database inception to May 2021 for articles published in English. We extracted data concerning demographics, intervention format, including Internet interventions, control group conditions and outcome measures. We used a random-effects model and calculated Hedges' g values for the scores of employees receiving Internet interventions versus control conditions. This systematic review is registered as INPLASY202160082. Results. Data from 19 studies were included. These 19 studies included 5898 participants (2813 participants received Internet interventions, 3085 participants were in control groups). Conclusions. The findings suggest that Internet interventions can be effective in improving depression in employees. However, more randomized controlled trials are needed to provide better evidence regarding Internet interventions for employees with depression, and robust studies are needed to observe the effectiveness of Internet interventions.