PhD defence B. (Babette) Bais

Depression during pregnancy is common (around 12%). Guidelines propose psychotherapy and/or medication for treatment. However, these treatments have their limitations during pregnancy, which underlines the urgency of investigating alternative treatments. That is why we have conducted a study into the effects of light therapy on depression during pregnancy. 67 pregnant women were included for this study. Women were treated with "bright light therapy" (BLT) or "dim red light therapy" (DRLT), which can be considered as placebo. Both groups were treated at home for 30 minutes daily upon awakening for 6 weeks. Depression scores improved by 41.2-50% during the intervention in the BLT group and by 45-58.6% in the DRLT group. We found no statistically significant difference between the two groups in this study. Although the effects of effective light therapy did not differ from placebo therapy, this therapy did show very promising results in the treatment of depression during pregnancy. These positive results offer many possibilities, especially in view of the low costs, direct accessibility and very mild side effects.

The public defence will take place at the Prof. Andries Queridoroom, 3rd floor Education Center, Erasmus MC. The ceremony will begin exactly at 13.30 hrs. In light of the solemn nature of the ceremony, we recommend that you do not take children under the age of 6 to the first part of the ceremony.