“Problem
Each year, 6% of northern populations are affected with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Women through the ages of 20 to 40 are most vulnerable (Rosenthal, 1993). The common symptoms are slow brainwave activity, depression, anxiety, extreme fatigue, hypersomnia, carbohydrate cravings, and weight gain. “Light box” therapy has reduced symptoms of SAD in 60% to 80% of SAD patients (Lam, 1999). The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Audio-Visual Entrainment (AVE) using flashing lights and pulsing tones to lower SAD symptoms through beta brainwave enhancement.
Method
The Digital Audio-Visual Integration Device (DAVID) by Comptronic Devices Limited was used in a 4-week study to reduce the symptoms of SAD through the application of AVE. The participants were screened according to the DSM-lV SAD requirements. The study accepted participants from November 1998 to March 1999. The participants were residents of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, living at approximately 53.5 B north latitude.”