---
title: Does bright light therapy reduce depression and anxiety before the period?
description: Evening bright light significantly reduced depression symptoms. It tended to reduce anxiety and sluggishness, but these improvements were not statistically si
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-effects-of-bright-light-therapy-on-symptoms-of-depression-anxiety-and-1994/
---

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- Does bright light therapy reduce depression and anxiety before the period?

Non-randomised trial, 1994

# Does bright light therapy reduce depression and anxiety before the period?

Evening bright light significantly reduced depression symptoms. It tended to reduce anxiety and sluggishness, but these improvements were not statistically significant. More research is needed.

 Early or limited evidence

10 women with prospectively documented PMS

## What they did

Crossover trial with 10 women who had documented PMS. Each woman received either morning or evening bright light (more than 2,500 lux) during the premenstrual phase of two different menstrual cycles. Depression, anxiety, and hibernation symptoms were measured before and after treatment.

## What they found

Evening light significantly reduced depression scores. Light treatment tended to reduce anxiety and hibernation ratings, but the reductions were not statistically significant. Morning light was not tested separately.

## What it means for you

Bright light in the evening might help with depression before your period. The study is too small and lacks a proper control group to be sure. Larger, controlled studies are needed before bright light can be recommended.

10

Women with PMS

2,500

Light intensity in lux

2

Different menstrual cycles tested

## About the study

Original title The Effects of Bright Light Therapy on Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Hibernation in Patients with Premenstrual Syndrome Authors Gabrielle Cerda, Barbara L. Parry Journal Journal of Women s Health Year 1994 Study design Non-randomised trial What was tested Bright light therapy greater than 2,500 lux, delivered in the morning or evening during the premenstrual phase Read the paper [doi.org/10.1089/jwh.1994.3.5](https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.1994.3.5)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Light therapy and sleep deprivation](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-light-therapy/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

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Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition?

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