CHRONOTHERAPEUTICS CONSULTANTS

A division of the Center for Environmental Therapeutics

Director	Anna Wirz-Justice PhD
Medical Director	Dan Oren MD
Protocol Manager	Francesco Benedetti MD
Administrator	Michael Terman PhD

Circadian rhythm and sleep management is proving key in the effective treatment of major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder (1,2). The techniques provide a potent nonpharmacologic adjunct or alternative to standard medication regimens, ECT and psychotherapy. The method promises faster inpatient and outpatient improvement, higher remission rate with fewer residual symptoms and shorter hospital stays. It is both cost-effective and in the patient’s interest.

Implementation of chronotherapeutics requires a commitment to innovation on the hospital ward, and staff training in the three central procedures: light therapy, wake therapy (sleep deprivation) and sleep phase advance therapy. The acute protocol requires six days or less, usually shortly after hospital admission, although it is also appropriate during extended hospitalization in treatment-resistant cases.

Chronotherapeutics Consultants was established in 2005 to assist hospitals and the managed care industry in launching these procedures on site. We provide staff seminars, protocol guidelines and case consultation. We also host visits to a hospital ward where the procedures are in place and provide recommended light treatment apparatus.

In 2006, the group is publishing the first Treatment Manual for Chronotherapeutics.

Psychiatrists and institutions are invited to contact us for further information: cc@cet.org.

1. Wirz-Justice, A., Terman, M., Oren, D.A., Goodwin, F.K., Kripke, D.F., Whybrow, P.C., Wisner, K.L., Wu, J.C., Lam, R.W., Berger, M., Danilenko, K.V., Kasper, S., Smeraldi, E., Takahashi, K., Thompson, C., van den Hoofdakker, R.H. (2004) Brightening Depression. Science, 303: 467-468.

2. Wirz-Justice, A., Benedetti, F., Berger, M., Lam, R.W., Martiny K., Terman, M. & Wu, J.C. (2005) Chronotherapeutics (light and wake therapy) in affective disorders. Psychological Medicine, 35: 939-944.

Read more about chronotherapeutics and download reprints in our literature survey section.