141 Participants Needed

CBT and Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder

KJ
Overseen ByKelly J Rohan, Ph.D.
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Vermont
Must be taking: Antidepressants
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Major depression is a highly prevalent, chronic, and debilitating mental health problem with significant social cost that poses a tremendous economic burden. Winter seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a subtype of recurrent major depression that affects 5% of the population (14.5 million Americans), involving substantial depressive symptoms for about 5 months of each year during most years, beginning in young adulthood.

Research Team

KJ

Kelly J Rohan, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Vermont

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults with major depression that follows a seasonal pattern, known as Winter SAD. Participants should have consistent symptoms each year and not be on changing doses of antidepressants. It's not for those who've had light therapy or CBT for SAD before, have other urgent mental health issues, are at high risk of suicide, will be away during the study period, or have eye conditions affected by bright light.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with seasonal depression that comes back.
I have been on a stable dose of antidepressants for over 4 weeks with no changes planned.
Meet Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression-Seasonal Affective Disorder Version (SIGH-SAD) criteria for a current SAD episode
See 1 more

Exclusion Criteria

Presence of a comorbid Axis I disorder that requires immediate treatment (i.e., bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, substance use disorder)
I have undergone light therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy for seasonal affective disorder.
Acute and serious suicidal intent
See 2 more

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT-SAD)
  • Light Therapy
Trial OverviewThe study tests Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT-SAD) against Light Therapy to see which is more effective in treating Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The goal is to determine the best long-term treatment approach to reduce depressive episodes during winter months.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT-SAD)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
12 1.5-hour group sessions at a rate of 2 sessions per week over 8 weeks.
Group II: Light TherapyActive Control1 Intervention
6 weeks of daily light therapy at home, using a 10,000-lux light box beginning at 30 minutes upon waking, with dose subsequently adjusted per treatment algorithm.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Vermont

Lead Sponsor

Trials
283
Recruited
3,747,000+

University of Maryland, College Park

Collaborator

Trials
163
Recruited
46,800+

University of Maryland, Baltimore

Collaborator

Trials
729
Recruited
540,000+

University of Pittsburgh

Collaborator

Trials
1,820
Recruited
16,360,000+

University of Maryland School of Medicine

Collaborator

Trials
5
Recruited
790+