Hydrocortisone Affects Fatigue and Physical Functioning Through Metabolism of Tryptophan: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Context: Hydrocortisone (HC) treatment influences health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in secondary adrenal insufficiency (AI). Glucocorticoids regulate tryptophan metabolism through the kynurenine pathway, which modulates mood and energy homeostasis.

Objective: This study investigated whether tryptophan metabolism mediated the effect of HC dose on HRQOL in patients with secondary AI.

Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Stress Relief Program for Depression*. A Replicated Single-Subject Design.

Background: Depressive disorders often have a chronic course and the efficacy of evidence-based treatments may be overestimated.

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of the Heart Rate Variability Stress Reduction Program (SRP) as a supplement to standard treatment in patients with depressive disorders.

Methods: The SRP was individually administered in eight weekly sessions.

Low-intensity blue-enriched white light (750 lux) and standard bright light (10,000 lux) are equally effective in treating SAD. A randomized controlled study.

Background: Photoreceptor cells containing melanopsin play a role in the phase-shifting effects of short-wavelength light. In a previous study, we compared the standard light treatment (SLT) of SAD with treatment using short-wavelength blue-enriched white light (BLT). Both treatments used the same illuminance (10,000 lux) and were equally highly effective.