Rhythmical Photic Stimulation at Alpha Frequencies Produces Antidepressant-Like Effects in a Mouse Model of Depression

The effect of SSRIs on unconditioned anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies

RATIONALE

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first choice of treatment for anxiety-like disorders. However, which aspects of anxiety are affected by SSRIs is not yet fully understood.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to systematically review the effect of six clinically effective SSRIs on four aspects of unconditioned anxiety: approach-avoidance behaviour (elevated plus maze), repetitive behaviour (marble burying), distress behaviour (ultrasonic vocalization), and activation of the autonomous nervous system (stress-induced hyperthermia).

METHODS

We identified publications by searching Medline and Embase databases and assessed the risk of bias. A random effects meta-analysis was performed and moderator effects were analysed with Bayesian penalized meta-regression.

RESULTS

Our search yielded 105 elevated plus maze, 63 marble burying, 11 ultrasonic vocalization, and 7 stress-induced hyperthermia articles. Meta-analysis suggested that SSRIs reduce anxiety-like behaviour in the elevated plus maze, marble burying and ultrasonic vocalization test and that effects are moderated by pre-existing stress conditions (elevated plus maze) and dose dependency (marble burying) but not by duration of treatment or type of SSRI. The reporting quality was low, publication bias was likely, and heterogeneity was high.

CONCLUSION

SSRIs seem to reduce a broad range of unconditioned anxiety-associated behaviours. These results should be interpreted with caution due to a high risk of bias, likely occurrence of publication bias, substantial heterogeneity and limited moderator data availability. Our review demonstrates the importance of including bias assessments when interpreting meta-analysis results. We further recommend improving the reporting quality, the conduct of animal research, and the publication of all results regardless of significance.

Effectiveness of binaural beat music combined with rhythmical photic stimulation on older people with depressive symptoms in long-term care institution: a quasi-experimental pilot study

BACKGROUND

Many older adults residing in long-term care often face issues like poor sleep, reduced vitality, and depression. Non-pharmacological approaches, specifically Binaural Beat Music (BBM) and Rhythmic Photic Stimulation (RPS), may alleviate these symptoms, yet their efficacy in this demographic has not been extensively explored.

AIMS

This study investigated the effects of combined BBM and RPS interventions on sleep quality, vitality, and depression among older residents with depressive symptoms in long-term care facilities.

METHODS

Using a quasi-experimental design, a total of 88 older adults with depressive symptoms from Taiwanese daytime care centers were divided into the BBM with RPS, and Sham groups (44 each). They underwent 20-minute daily sessions of their assigned treatment for two weeks. The BBM with RPS group listened to 10 Hz binaural beat music with 10 Hz photic stimulation glasses, and the Sham group received non-stimulating music and glasses.

RESULTS

After the intervention, participants in the BBM with RPS groups showed significant improvements in vitality and depressive mood, with a notable increase in sympathetic nervous system activity. Conversely, the Sham group exhibited significant deterioration in vitality and mental health, with a significant increase in parasympathetic activity. Additionally, compared with the Sham group, the BBM and RPS groups showed significant improvements in vitality, mental health, and depression, with a significant increase in sympathetic nervous activity.

CONCLUSION

The two-week intervention suggests that the combination of BBM and RPS, as a non-invasive intervention, can potentially improve vitality, mental health, and depressive mood among older adults in long-term care institutions.