La fototerapia in Psichiatria: applicazioni, limiti e prospettive future

Introduction

Light therapy is a therapeutic technique based on the use of light. Its use in Psychiatry has grown over the past 30 years since the discovery of its efficacy in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder. Its mechanism of action is related to the chronobiology of circadian rhythms and to the role of melatonin in the modulation of endogenous rhythms. This article provides a critical review of the literature dealing with the use of this treatment in seasonal depression and other mood disorders (nonseasonal depression and bipolar disorder), in eating disorders, and other psychiatric syndromes.

Conclusions

This review shows that light therapy may be considered the treatment of choice for seasonal affective disorder, but its use in other psychiatric syndromes needs further investigation.