Light + Negative Ion Therapy for Depression

Overseen by Raymond W Lam, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: University of British Columbia

Must be taking: Antidepressants

Must not be taking: Antipsychotics, Mood stabilizers

Disqualifiers: Bipolar, Psychotic features, Substance use, others

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Antidepressants are widely used as first-line treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD). Clinical guidelines recommend 6-24 months of "maintenance" antidepressant treatment, after patients achieve symptom remission, to prevent relapse but many people stop antidepressants too soon relapse into another depressive episode. We will test non-medication treatments, negative ion therapy and light therapy, to see they can substitute for antidepressants to prevent relapse. This is a "feasibility" study to see if participants use study treatments properly, before doing a larger, definitive trial. In this 28-week study, 100 participants with MDD who are in remission with antidepressants will be treated with light therapy or negative ion therapy (with half of devices active and half inactive) while slowly discontinuing the antidepressant, and monitored for relapse.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

Yes, participants will need to slowly stop taking their current antidepressant medication during the study while using light or negative ion therapy.

What data supports the effectiveness of this treatment for depression?

Research shows that high-density negative air ions can reduce symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, with 58% of participants experiencing significant improvement. Bright light therapy has also been effective for winter depression, and both treatments have shown promise for non-seasonal depression. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Light + Negative Ion Therapy safe for humans?

Research shows that both bright light therapy and high-density negative ion therapy are generally safe for humans, with studies reporting no significant side effects or adverse events. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

How does Light + Negative Ion Therapy for Depression differ from other treatments for depression?

This treatment is unique because it combines light therapy with exposure to negative air ions, which are believed to have beneficial health effects by altering the electrical charge of air molecules. Unlike traditional antidepressants, this approach uses natural elements to potentially improve mood and emotional state. ^{8 9 10 11 12}

Research Team

Raymond W Lam, MD

Principal Investigator

University of British Columbia

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults with recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) who are in remission thanks to antidepressants and want to stop their medication due to side effects or other reasons. They must meet specific criteria, have been on a stable dose of antidepressants, and be willing to do self-reports in English or French. People with significant personality disorders, high suicide risk, recent substance abuse, severe medical conditions, history of bad reactions when stopping antidepressants, eye conditions that limit light therapy use, or those using certain medications can't join.

Inclusion Criteria

I want to stop my antidepressant due to side effects or other reasons.

I am in remission from depression, with low scores on a depression scale.

I can complete surveys and online tasks in English or French.

Exclusion Criteria

I am continuing with my current depression treatment.

My main mental health condition is major depressive disorder, not bipolar disorder.

I use medication for mental health that isn't an antidepressant or benzodiazepine.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive light therapy or negative ion therapy while tapering off antidepressants

28 weeks

Bi-weekly visits until week 8, then every 4 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

24 weeks

Final observational visit by Zoom at Week 52

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Light therapy (Behavioural Intervention)
• Negative ion therapy (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial Overview The LIMIT-D study is exploring if negative ion therapy and light therapy can help prevent depression from coming back after stopping antidepressants. It's a preliminary test involving 100 participants over 28 weeks where half will receive active treatments and the other half inactive ones as they gradually stop taking their medication.

Participant Groups

Group I: Negative ion therapy Active Control 1 Intervention

High density negative ions at 3.4 trillion ions per second with no detectable ozone, used for 30 minutes as soon as possible after awakening, preferably between 7:00-8:00 am.

Group II: Light therapy Active Control 1 Intervention

4000 Kelvin white fluorescent light rated at 10,000 lux at 14 inches from screen to cornea, with an ultraviolet filter, used for 30 minutes as soon as possible after awakening, preferably between 7:00-8:00 am.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of British Columbia

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,506

Recruited

2,528,000+

Dr. Christopher Haqq

University of British Columbia

Chief Medical Officer since 2019

MD, University of British Columbia

Bekki Bracken Brown

University of British Columbia

Chief Executive Officer since 2023

Bachelor's degree from Duke University

Ontario Brain Institute

Collaborator

Trials

12

Recruited

3,000+

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Collaborator

Trials

388

Recruited

84,200+

Dr. Catherine Zahn

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Chief Executive Officer since 2009

MD, University of Toronto

Dr. James Graham

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Chief Medical Officer since 2024

PhD in Functional Neuroimaging

University of Toronto

Collaborator

Trials

739

Recruited

1,125,000+

Allison Brown

University of Toronto

Chief Medical Officer

PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto

Michael Sefton

University of Toronto

Chief Executive Officer since 2017

PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto and MIT

Université de Montréal

Collaborator

Trials

223

Recruited

104,000+

Houda Bahig

Université de Montréal

Chief Medical Officer since 2021

MD from Université de Montréal

Daniel Jutras

Université de Montréal

Chief Executive Officer since 2020

LLB from Université de Montréal, LLM from Harvard University

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Collaborator

Trials

1,417

Recruited

26,550,000+

Dr. Paul C. Hébert

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Chief Executive Officer

MD, University of Ottawa

Dr. Paul C. Hébert

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Chief Medical Officer

MD, University of Ottawa

McMaster University

Collaborator

Trials

936

Recruited

2,630,000+

Evan Stein

McMaster University

Chief Medical Officer since 2015

MD, PhD

Sam

McMaster University

Chief Executive Officer since 2023

MBA from McMaster University

Findings from Research

In a study of 118 participants, bright light, auditory stimuli, and high-density negative ions significantly improved mood and reduced feelings of depression and anger within 15-30 minutes, compared to a low-density placebo.

These mood improvements occurred regardless of the season or the participants' initial level of depressive symptoms, indicating that these stimuli can provide rapid mood enhancement for both mildly depressed and non-depressed individuals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bright light, negative air ions and auditory stimuli produce rapid mood changes in a student population: a placebo-controlled study. Goel, N., Etwaroo, GR.[2015]

In a study of 44 adults with bipolar disorder, bright light therapy did not show significant differences in alleviating depressive symptoms compared to low-density or high-density negative ion generators over an 8-week period.

Adverse events, including switches into hypomania, were rare, suggesting that bright light therapy may be a safe option, but further research is needed to confirm its efficacy for bipolar depression.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Controlled trial of safety and efficacy of bright light therapy vs. negative air ions in patients with bipolar depression. Dauphinais, DR., Rosenthal, JZ., Terman, M., et al.[2012]

In a study of 25 subjects with seasonal affective disorder, high-density negative ion treatment (2.7 x 10(6) ions/cm3) significantly reduced depressive symptoms, with 58% of participants showing a 50% or greater reduction in symptoms compared to only 15% with low-density treatment.

The high-density negative ion treatment was found to be safe, with no reported side effects, and may serve as an effective alternative or supplement to traditional light therapy and medications for managing seasonal affective disorder.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment of seasonal affective disorder with a high-output negative ionizer. Terman, M., Terman, JS.[2007]

In a randomized controlled trial involving 32 participants with chronic depression, both bright light therapy and high-density negative air ions showed significant efficacy, with symptom improvement of 53.7% and 51.1% respectively, compared to only 17.0% for the placebo group.

Both treatments achieved a remission rate of 50%, indicating their effectiveness for chronic depression, similar to results seen in seasonal affective disorder, but without reliance on seasonal changes or circadian rhythm shifts.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Controlled trial of bright light and negative air ions for chronic depression. Goel, N., Terman, M., Terman, JS., et al.[2019]

Both gradual and rapid dawn simulation significantly reduced depression scores in patients with winter depression, indicating that both methods are effective treatments.

The gradual dawn simulation led to more early morning awakenings compared to the rapid dawn, suggesting that while both treatments were effective, the gradual method may have additional side effects that could impact its overall efficacy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Gradual versus rapid dawn simulation treatment of winter depression. Avery, DH., Bolte, MA., Cohen, S., et al.[2007]

In a study involving 42 patients with major depressive disorder, both bright white-light therapy (2,500 lux) and dim red-light therapy (50 lux) were administered daily for seven days without any significant differences in side effects between the two treatments.

This suggests that light therapy, regardless of intensity, may be a safe option for treating depression without increasing the risk of adverse effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Side-effects of phototherapy in nonseasonal depressive disorder. Volz, HP., Mackert, A., Stieglitz, RD.[2004]

In a study with 40 participants, daily exposure to high-density negative air ions for 30 or 60 minutes over 18 days significantly reduced symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) compared to a placebo condition with zero-density ions.

The treatment was safe, with no negative side effects or ozone production, and individuals with a morning chronotype showed better responses to high-density negative air ions than those with an evening chronotype.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Controlled trial evaluation of exposure duration to negative air ions for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder. Bowers, B., Flory, R., Ametepe, J., et al.[2018]

A review of 33 studies involving human participants found that negative air ionization is significantly associated with lower depression ratings, especially at high exposure levels, suggesting a potential therapeutic effect for individuals with depression.

However, the study did not find consistent effects of air ionization on anxiety, mood, relaxation, or personal comfort, indicating that while negative ions may help with depression, their overall impact on other psychological measures remains unclear.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Air ions and mood outcomes: a review and meta-analysis. Perez, V., Alexander, DD., Bailey, WH.[2021]

Negative charge ionized air may be beneficial for respiratory rehabilitation, particularly in treating acute and chronic inflammatory conditions of the airways.

The review highlights the biological effects of negative ionization, suggesting it could enhance respiratory health based on both literature and personal clinical experiences.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Ionized air respiratory rehabilitation technics]. Gualtierotti, R., Solimene, U., Tonoli, D.[2006]

A review of 62 studies on the effects of air ions on health found no consistent evidence of beneficial or adverse effects in laboratory animals, indicating that exposure to positive or negative air ions does not significantly impact health outcomes.

The highest quality studies showed no effects on various health measures, and there were no clear dose-response relationships, suggesting that air ion exposure lacks a reliable biological mechanism for interaction with health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exposure of laboratory animals to small air ions: a systematic review of biological and behavioral studies. Bailey, WH., Williams, AL., Leonhard, MJ.[2018]

Light negative aeroions can positively affect the human body by changing the charge of ions, which leads to the ionization of gas components that the body can actively perceive.

The formation of negatively charged ions can create highly reactive electron-excited ions, enhancing their chemical activity and potential impact on human health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Effect of light negative aeroions on the human body]. Arabadzhi, VI.[2008]

In a study involving 20 postoperative neurosurgical patients, inhalation of negative ions containing superoxide (O2-) led to a decrease in blood lactate concentrations, suggesting improved aerobic metabolism.

The results indicate that inspired O2- may enhance superoxide dismutase activity, which helps accelerate energy production in cells and reduces lactate buildup, potentially benefiting recovery in surgical patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Inspired superoxide anions attenuate blood lactate concentrations in postoperative patients. Iwama, H., Ohmizo, H., Furuta, S., et al.[2019]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bright light, negative air ions and auditory stimuli produce rapid mood changes in a student population: a placebo-controlled study. [2015]

2. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Controlled trial of safety and efficacy of bright light therapy vs. negative air ions in patients with bipolar depression. [2012]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment of seasonal affective disorder with a high-output negative ionizer. [2007]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Controlled trial of bright light and negative air ions for chronic depression. [2019]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Gradual versus rapid dawn simulation treatment of winter depression. [2007]

6. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Side-effects of phototherapy in nonseasonal depressive disorder. [2004]

7. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Controlled trial evaluation of exposure duration to negative air ions for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder. [2018]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Air ions and mood outcomes: a review and meta-analysis. [2021]

9. Italy pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Ionized air respiratory rehabilitation technics]. [2006]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exposure of laboratory animals to small air ions: a systematic review of biological and behavioral studies. [2018]

11. Russia (Federation) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Effect of light negative aeroions on the human body]. [2008]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Inspired superoxide anions attenuate blood lactate concentrations in postoperative patients. [2019]