The Effect of Acute Transcranial Bright Light on Anxiety Symptoms

The Effect of Acute Transcranial Bright Light on Anxiety Symptoms

The purpose of this study is to determine if transcranially administered bright light has acute effect on anxiety symptoms.

Subjects (n=30) with anxiety symptoms will be recruited into the study. To be included into the study, subjects have to get at least seven points in BAI(Becks Anxiety Inventory). At the beginning of the study subject will be randomly assigned to 12 minutes of acute transcranial bright light or placebo exposure group. Anxiety symptoms will be measured using Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI, form Y1)self-rating questionnaire just before and 10 and 110 minutes after the experiment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subject can read and understand the study protocol
• The written informed consent is obtained from subject
• Subject's BAI total score >= 7

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subject has a lifetime psychotic disorder
• Subject abuses substance or has a dependence
• Subject has had suicidal idealization during the past month
• Subject use psychotropic medications
• Subject has unstable somatic disease
• Subject has used bright-light therapy for the current episode
• Subject is pregnant
• Subject is a relative of a member of research team
• Subject has used transcranial light treatment