462 Depression Moderates Independent Effects of Daily Natural Light Exposure and Activity on Daily Mood

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Ambulatory methods are useful tools to study physical and mental health in everyday life. While many studies show daily activity improves mood, the effects of daily light exposure on mood remain unknown. This study evaluated the effects of daily natural light exposure and activity on daily mood and evaluate whether depression moderate effects. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: 82 adults with lifetime major depression disorder (25 current) and 49 healthy controls were recruited from the greater Chicago community (N = 131, 62% female, age M = 30.15, SD = 9.94). At baseline, participants completed the Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms to measure depression symptoms of anhedonia, or loss of pleasure. Positive and negative affect were then measured 3x daily for 14-days via self-report using smartphones while light exposure and activity were continuously recorded from a wrist-worn actigraphy device. Following prior studies, daily natural light exposure was measured as the total number of white light samples greater than 1000 lux each day. Multilevel models were used to separate within-person (daily level) from between-person (subject level) effects. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Results revealed daily within-person activity (p < .001) and natural light exposure duration (p = .035) were independently associated with increased positive affect. Effects were significantly moderated by baseline anhedonia symptoms (3-way interaction: p = .004). Natural light exposure duration only increased positive affect on lower activity days for high anhedonia and higher activity days for low anhedonia (ps < .018). Significant results remained controlling for between-person light and activity, time of year, age, sex, negative affect, and baseline general depression symptoms. Compared to one’s own daily averages, daily activity and natural light exposure may be independent pathways to boost positive affect, especially for individuals with high anhedonia symptoms. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Results suggest daily natural light exposure may be an accessible, low-cost alternative to independently increase positive affect in depression on days when activity is low. Translational applications are discussed focusing on transdiagnostic implications for physical and mental health conditions that disrupt mood and limit activity.