Effects of Light Therapy on Mood and Insulin Sensitivity in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Depression: Results From a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Diabetes Care. 2019 Apr;42(4):529-538. doi: 10.2337/dc18-1732. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Abstract

Objective: Depression is common in patients with type 2 diabetes and adversely affects quality of life and diabetes outcomes. We assessed whether light therapy, an antidepressant, improves mood and insulin sensitivity in patients with depression and type 2 diabetes.

Research design and methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 83 patients with depression and type 2 diabetes. The intervention comprised 4 weeks of light therapy (10,000 lux) or placebo light therapy daily at home. Primary outcomes included depressive symptoms (Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology [IDS]) and insulin sensitivity (M-value derived from the results of a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp). Secondary outcomes were related psychological and glucometabolic measures.

Results: Intention-to-treat analysis showed that light therapy was not superior to placebo in reducing depressive symptoms (-3.9 IDS points [95% CI -9.0 to 1.2]; P = 0.248) and had no effect on insulin sensitivity (0.15 mg/kg*min [95% CI -0.41 to 0.70]; P = 0.608). Analyses incorporating only those participants who accurately adhered to the light therapy protocol (n = 51) provided similar results, but did suggest positive effects of light therapy on depression response rates (≥50% reduction in IDS points) (26% more response; P = 0.031). Prespecified analysis showed effect moderation by baseline insulin sensitivity (P = 0.009) and use of glucose-lowering medication (P = 0.023). Light therapy did not affect depressive symptoms in participants with higher insulin sensitivity or those who use only oral glucose-lowering medication or none at all, but it did produce a relevant effect in participants with lower insulin sensitivity (-12.9 IDS points [95% CI -21.6 to -4.2]; P = 0.017) and a trend toward effectiveness in those using insulin (-12.2 IDS points [95% CI -21.3 to -3.1]; P = 0.094). Light therapy was well tolerated.

Conclusions: Although this trial is essentially inconclusive, secondary analyses indicate that light therapy might be a promising treatment for depression among a subgroup of highly insulin-resistant individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Affect / radiation effects*
  • Aged
  • Depression / complications
  • Depression / metabolism
  • Depression / therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / therapy*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insulin Resistance / physiology
  • Insulin Resistance / radiation effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phototherapy*
  • Placebos
  • Quality of Life
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Placebos

Associated data

  • NTR/NTR4942