Light Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

(KLTO Trial)

Overseen By Rebecca Cox

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase < 1

Sponsor: Washington University School of Medicine

Disqualifiers: Night shift work, Pregnancy, Nicotine, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 5 weeks

40 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, medication status is listed as an exclusion criterion, so it might be important to discuss your current medications with the study team.

What data supports the effectiveness of light therapy as a treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder?

While light therapy has shown effectiveness in treating seasonal and non-seasonal depression, its impact on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is less clear. A study found no response to bright light therapy in a small group of OCD patients, but consistent scheduling and set lights out times in inpatient programs have been associated with improved treatment responses for OCD. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is light therapy safe for humans?

Light therapy, used for conditions like seasonal and non-seasonal depression, is generally considered safe. Studies have shown it can be used without significant side effects, although monitoring for any potential adverse effects is recommended. ^{1 2 5 6 7}

How is light therapy different from other treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Light therapy is unique because it uses bright light exposure to potentially influence circadian rhythms (the body's internal clock), which can affect mood and behavior. Unlike traditional medications for OCD, light therapy is non-invasive and involves sitting near a light box for a set period, typically in the morning. ^{1 2 4 5 8}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether light therapy is effective for reducing symptoms in young adults with OCD and late bedtimes (1am or later). The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: Does light therapy reduce OCD symptoms? Does light therapy advance the circadian clock? If there is a comparison group: Researchers will compare a higher dose of light therapy to a lower dose to see if dose amount affects symptom reduction. Participants will asked to: 1. Wear light therapy glasses for 1 hour each morning and complete a daily light therapy log for 5 weeks 2. Track their sleep every day with a wearable monitor and an electronic sleep diary for 5 weeks 3. Complete a 1-time assessment of sensitivity to light exposure 4. Complete self-report measures of OCD 4 times/day at baseline (2 weeks), mid-treatment (1 week), and end of treatment (1 week)

Research Team

Rebecca Cox, PhD

Principal Investigator

Washington University School of Medicine

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for young adults with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) who typically go to bed at 1am or later. Participants will use light therapy glasses and track their sleep, while also completing assessments related to their OCD symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria

English speaking

I have been diagnosed with OCD.

Bedtime 0100 or later

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnancy status

Subjects must not be currently participating in another research study that would influence their participation in our study

Regular nicotine or marijuana use

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline

Participants complete self-report measures of OCD 4 times/day for 2 weeks and undergo baseline assessments

2 weeks

Daily self-report measures

Treatment

Participants wear light therapy glasses for 1 hour each morning and track their sleep for 5 weeks

5 weeks

Daily light therapy and sleep tracking

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Light Therapy

Trial Overview The study tests if light therapy can reduce OCD symptoms and adjust the body's internal clock. It may compare different doses of light therapy to see if a higher dose is more effective than a lower one.

Participant Groups

Group I: Higher dose Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be given wearable light therapy devices that emit a higher light intensity.

Group II: Lower dose Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Participants will be given wearable light therapy devices that emit a lower light intensity.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Washington University School of Medicine

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,027

Recruited

2,353,000+

Findings from Research

Light therapy, originally developed for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), has shown efficacy not only for SAD but also for other psychiatric conditions, including nonseasonal major depressive disorder and bipolar depression, particularly in cases resistant to traditional treatments.

Recent studies suggest that light therapy can improve cognitive function in adults with ADHD, enhance motor function in Parkinson's disease, and alleviate rest-activity disturbances in elderly patients with dementia, indicating its broad therapeutic potential.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evolving applications of light therapy. Terman, M.[2022]

Light therapy is an effective, evidence-based treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder, influencing circadian rhythms that affect sleep, mood, and cognition, based on 40 years of clinical trials.

For optimal results, light therapy should use devices that provide 10,000 lux of white light for 30-60 minutes in the early morning, with ongoing monitoring to adjust treatment as needed and manage any side effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

CME: Light Therapy: Why, What, for Whom, How, and When (And a Postscript about Darkness). Wirz-Justice, A., Terman, AM.[2022]

In a meta-analysis of inpatient OCD treatment programs, those with consistent scheduling and a set lights out time showed a significantly higher treatment response rate, with 78% achieving a favorable outcome compared to 0% for those without a set lights out time.

Implementing structured environmental changes, such as regular sleep schedules, may enhance treatment efficacy for patients with OCD, particularly for those with severe symptoms, highlighting the importance of circadian care in psychiatric settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Circadian zeitgebers and treatment outcome in inpatient programs for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD): a pilot study. Coles, ME., Stewart, E.[2020]

In a survey of 34 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), no significant seasonal variations in symptoms were reported compared to the general population.

Bright light therapy was administered to six patients with OCD, but there was no observed response, suggesting it may not be an effective treatment for OCD symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Seasonal variation in obsessive-compulsive disorder: preliminary experience with light treatment. Yoney, TH., Pigott, TA., L'Heureux, F., et al.[2007]

Phototherapy is a safe and effective treatment for seasonal depressive disorders, showing promise for non-seasonal depression as well, although its exact mechanism of action is still not fully understood.

The review highlights the growing interest in phototherapy for psychiatric disorders and suggests that further research is needed to explore its effects and underlying mechanisms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Phototherapy for depressive disorders: a review. Lam, RW., Kripke, DF., Gillin, JC.[2019]

In a study involving 42 patients with major depressive disorder, both bright white-light therapy (2,500 lux) and dim red-light therapy (50 lux) were administered daily for seven days without any significant differences in side effects between the two treatments.

This suggests that light therapy, regardless of intensity, may be a safe option for treating depression without increasing the risk of adverse effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Side-effects of phototherapy in nonseasonal depressive disorder. Volz, HP., Mackert, A., Stieglitz, RD.[2004]

In a study of 30 patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), bright light treatment was found to have limited and mild side effects, with no patients discontinuing treatment due to adverse effects.

While 62% of patients using evening light experienced sleep disturbances and 26% reported mild visual side effects, these issues were generally temporary and resolved with time or reduced light exposure.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Side effects induced by bright light treatment for seasonal affective disorder. Labbate, LA., Lafer, B., Thibault, A., et al.[2015]

A 40-year-old woman with seasonal obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) experienced complete remission of her symptoms after a 12-day treatment with bright light therapy (3000 lux for 2 hours daily).

The successful treatment occurred without altering her ongoing antidepressant medication (125 mg amitriptyline/day), suggesting that bright light therapy can be an effective adjunct treatment for OCD, particularly in seasonal cases.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Successful treatment of seasonal compulsive syndrome with phototherapy]. Höflich, G., Kasper, S., Möller, HJ.[2013]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evolving applications of light therapy. [2022]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

CME: Light Therapy: Why, What, for Whom, How, and When (And a Postscript about Darkness). [2022]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Circadian zeitgebers and treatment outcome in inpatient programs for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD): a pilot study. [2020]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Seasonal variation in obsessive-compulsive disorder: preliminary experience with light treatment. [2007]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Phototherapy for depressive disorders: a review. [2019]

6. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Side-effects of phototherapy in nonseasonal depressive disorder. [2004]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Side effects induced by bright light treatment for seasonal affective disorder. [2015]

8. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Successful treatment of seasonal compulsive syndrome with phototherapy]. [2013]