The Effects of a Multi-Modal Intervention Trial of Light, Exercise, and Vitamins on Women's Mood
- 21 October 2001
- journal article
- clinical trial
- Published by Informa UK Limited in Women & Health
- Vol. 34 (3), 93-112
- https://doi.org/10.1300/j013v34n03_06
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a tri-modal intervention (LEVITY) to improve women's mood. This eight-week randomized experiment with a placebo-control group targeted women with symptoms of mild to moderate depression. Women in the intervention group were instructed to take a brisk 20-minute outdoor walk at target heart rate of 60% of maximum heart rate, to increase light exposure throughout the day and to take a specific vitamin regimen. Women in the control group took a daily placebo vitamin. The sample consisted of 112 women ages 19-78 who reported mild to moderate depressive symptoms. They were in otherwise good health and were not currently taking any mood-altering medication. Pre- and post-intervention assessment utilized live measures of mood: Center for Epidemiology Studies Depression Scale, Profile of Mood States, Depression-Happiness Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the General Well-Being Schedule. Analysis of covariance indicated that the intervention was effective in improving women's overall mood, self-esteem, and general sense of well-being and in decreasing symptoms on two measures of depression. Of particular note, the data from all five outcome measures supported the efficacy of the intervention. In addition, a high level of adherence to the intervention protocol was observed with two-thirds of the women reporting 100% adherence. Study implications suggest that this type of intervention may provide an effective, clinically manageable therapy for mild-to-moderately depressed women who prefer a self-directed approach or who have difficulties with the cost or side-effects of medication or psychotherapy.Keywords
This publication has 42 references indexed in Scilit:
- Distressed women’s clinic patients:General Hospital Psychiatry, 1999
- Effects of Exercise Participation on Menstrual Pain and SymptomsWomen & Health, 1998
- Thiamine supplementation mood and cognitive functioningPsychopharmacology, 1997
- The impact of long-term vitamin supplementation on cognitive functioningPsychopharmacology, 1995
- The prevalence and distribution of major depression in a national community sample: the National Comorbidity SurveyAmerican Journal of Psychiatry, 1994
- Low illumination experienced by San Diego adults: Association with atypical depressive symptomsBiological Psychiatry, 1994
- Alleviation of Sleep Maintenance Insomnia with Timed Exposure to Bright LightJournal of the American Geriatrics Society, 1993
- Selenium supplementation improves mood in a double-blind crossover trialPsychopharmacology, 1990
- Sex differences in recurrent depression: are there any that are significant?American Journal of Psychiatry, 1988
- Development of a program to increase personal happiness.Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1977