Bright Light Therapy for Depression
AK
Overseen ByAndrew Kern, Medical Doctor
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Phase 2
Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)
Prior Safety DataThis treatment has passed at least one previous human trial
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
Bright light therapy has been shown to be effective for the treatment of both seasonal and non-seasonal unipolar depression as well as bipolar depression, primarily in outpatients under the age of 60. There is a dearth of studies exploring the efficacy of this treatment modality among elderly depressed inpatients, which is our study population.
Who Is on the Research Team?
RF
Rindy Fernandes, DO
Principal Investigator
Medical University of South Carolina
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for individuals aged 60 or older who are currently hospitalized with non-psychotic unipolar depression as their primary psychiatric issue. They must have a score of 8 or higher on the HAMD-17 depression scale to qualify.Inclusion Criteria
I am currently a patient in the MUSC Senior Care Unit.
I am 60 years old or older.
My depression score is 8 or higher.
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What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Bright Light Therapy
Trial Overview The study tests bright light therapy's effectiveness in treating depression among elderly inpatients, comparing it against dim red light as a control condition to see if there's an improvement in depressive symptoms.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: Bright light therapyExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants in the intervention group will receive bright light therapy (BLT) consisting of 10,000 lux of bright white light administered for 30 minutes each morning, ideally within 30 minutes of awakening. Participants in both arms will continue to receive other treatment as usual (group therapy and medication management) as deemed appropriate by their treating clinicians.
Group II: Dim Red lightPlacebo Group1 Intervention
Participants in the control group will receive a placebo condition using an identical light box fitted with a translucent red screen to emit dim red light at an intensity of less than 2,500 lux, which lacks efficacy for depression treatment based on prior research. Participants in both arms will continue to receive other treatment as usual (group therapy and medication management) as deemed appropriate by their treating clinicians.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Medical University of South Carolina
Lead Sponsor
Trials
994
Recruited
7,408,000+
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Collaborator
Trials
2,658
Recruited
3,409,000+
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Collaborator
Trials
2,896
Recruited
8,053,000+
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