SUN-006 Light and Exercise Therapy Improves Depression in Women with Premenstrual Syndrome

Objective This study documents the effects that light and exercise therapy have in women experiencing premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Design Methods Study participants were fertile-aged females that were involved in a non-profit community depression and anxiety education program. Participants met in once a week and were taught about the effects of healthful cooking, regular exercise (at least 40 minutes of exercise five times a week), bright light exposure (20 - 40 minutes of exposure) from the sun or from a light box, and other healthy behaviors on their mental health. All participants took a 75-item questionnaire at the beginning and the end of the program to establish a baseline and measure changes in depression levels. The questionnaire measured depression level based on DSM-5 [The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Volume 5] criteria. Participants were asked to provide their demographical information and patient history, including information about premenstrual syndrome. Depression was classified into 4 categories as none (0-6), mild (7-10), moderate (11-19) or severe (20 or more). Results From 1968 females 803 reported suffering from PMS mean age 38.8, SD 8.9. Baseline mean depression was 15.3, SD 15.3, median 16 and mode of 18. At the end from the 803, 280 established exercise and light therapy, that group had a depression average of 6.2 (SD 5.5), median 5, mode 0 and 83 (29.6%) of them reported no longer PMS symptoms. At the end those 125 did not established the exercise and light therapy had a depression average of 7.7 (SD 5.5), median 7 and mode 8 and 34 (27.2%) no longer reported PMS symptoms. Conclusions Women experiencing PMS exhibit improved mental health as a result of light and exercise therapy. Lifestyle intervention for maladies related to this syndrome may be an effective alternative to pharmaceutical medications.