---
title: "Efficacy of light therapy versus antidepressant drugs in major…"
description: "Combining light therapy with antidepressants is more effective than antidepressants alone for major depressive episodes, and light therapy alone is…"
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d31600678.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d31600678.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d31600678.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "d31600678"
journal: "Sleep Med Rev"
year: 2019
pmid: "31600678"
doi: "10.1016/j.smrv.2019.101213"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Efficacy of light therapy versus antidepressant drugs in major depressive episodes: a meta-analysis

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## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | Sleep Med Rev |
| Year | 2019 |
| PMID | [31600678](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31600678/) |
| DOI | [10.1016/j.smrv.2019.101213](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2019.101213) |
| Study key | d31600678 |

## Takeaway

Combining light therapy with antidepressants is more effective than antidepressants alone for major depressive episodes, and light therapy alone is comparable to antidepressants alone.

## The question

This meta-analysis examines the efficacy of light therapy (LT) compared to antidepressant drugs (AD) and their combination (LT + AD) in treating major depressive episodes.

## Hypothesis

The study aims to determine if light therapy, alone or in combination with antidepressants, is as effective or more effective than antidepressant drugs alone for major depressive episodes.

## Methods

A systematic review and weighted random effect meta-analysis was conducted on randomized controlled trials directly comparing light therapy and antidepressant drugs, as well as their combination. Seven independent populations, totaling 397 participants with moderate to severe major depressive episodes, were included. The median intervention duration was 5 weeks.

## Results

The superiority of LT + Placebo compared to AD + Placebo was not statistically significant (SMD = 0.19; p = 0.17). However, the combination of LT + AD was superior to AD + Placebo (SMD = 0.56; p < 0.001). This superiority was also observed in patients with non-seasonal depression (SMD = 0.55; p = 0.005). Heterogeneity between studies was low (I = 0%, 18.41%, and 39.23%), and no publication biases were found.

## Conclusion

No significant difference was observed between light therapy alone and antidepressant drugs alone. The combination of light therapy and antidepressant drugs showed clear superiority. Therefore, both light therapy monotherapy and the combination therapy may be considered first-line treatments for seasonal and non-seasonal depression.

## Limitations

The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> light therapy has been shown to be efficient in the treatment of seasonal and non-seasonal depression

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bright Light Therapy Lamp | Strong evidence | [Bright Light Therapy Lamp](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/194.md) |

## Reference

1. **Efficacy of light therapy versus antidepressant drugs in major depressive episodes: a meta-analysis**
   Sleep Med Rev 2019 · [PMID 31600678](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31600678/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.smrv.2019.101213](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2019.101213)

   > light therapy has been shown to be efficient in the treatment of seasonal and non-seasonal depression

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## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [Bright Light Therapy Lamp](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/194.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Evidence: bright light entrains circadian rhythm](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s194.md)
- [Blue-Light Therapy for Seasonal and Non-Seasonal Depression: A Systematic Review and…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d35522196.md)
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).