Morning Bright Light for Adolescent Sleep Patterns
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
Circadian clocks shift later (delay) with the progression of puberty; this shift contributes to late sleep onsets in older adolescents. Early school start times, however, force teenagers to awaken earlier than their spontaneous wake time and the opportunity for sleep shortens. Chronic circadian misalignment and sleep restriction are at their peak during late adolescence, and are associated with various negative outcomes. Morning bright light exposure from light boxes can shift rhythms earlier (phase advance) to facilitate earlier sleep onset, and reduce circadian misalignment and the associated risks. Studies of adults, however, indicate that restricted sleep and exposure to evening light due to late bedtimes make morning bright light less effective in producing advances. Pilot data collected from adolescents mimic this finding, but also suggest that staying awake late in normal household lighting and the subsequent sleep restriction before and during a 3-day morning bright light regimen, can shift the system in the wrong direction (phase delay). The overarching goal of this study is to examine the dose of sleep restriction and evening household light that prevents the desired phase advance to morning bright light in adolescents aged 14-17 years. Study 1 aims to construct a sleep restriction with normal household evening light dose-response curve to determine the point at which morning bright light begins to lose its effectiveness. The investigators hypothesize that the circadian system will advance with sufficient sleep, but with increasing sleep restriction/evening light, circadian rhythms will not shift or will delay despite the phase advancing morning bright light. Study 2 will test whether reducing evening light exposure by wearing sunglasses before bedtime during sleep restriction can facilitate phase advances. The main outcome measures to build the dose-response curve will be phase shifts of the central circadian clock marked by the dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) and total sleep time measured from actigraphy in the laboratory. Secondary outcomes include cognitive performance, sleepiness, and mood.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
Yes, you will need to stop taking any prescribed medications (except birth control pills) and over-the-counter medications that can affect sleep or melatonin.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Morning Bright Light for Adolescent Sleep Patterns?
Is bright light therapy safe for humans?
Bright light therapy is generally considered safe for humans, including adolescents and children, with studies showing it can improve sleep patterns and alertness without significant adverse effects. However, more research is needed to fully understand its safety across different age groups and conditions.12567
How does morning bright light treatment differ from other treatments for adolescent sleep patterns?
Morning bright light treatment is unique because it uses exposure to bright light in the morning to help adjust the body's internal clock, improving alertness and sleep consistency without medication. This approach is different from other treatments that might involve drugs or focus on sleep duration, as it specifically targets the timing of sleep and wakefulness.12489
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for teens aged 14-17 who speak English and are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. It's not for those with unusual sleep patterns, current illness, certain medication use (except birth control), severe mood symptoms, color blindness, recent eye surgery, drug or alcohol use, significant mental or physical health issues, recent travel across time zones, or melatonin/OTC sleep med usage.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Baseline
Participants undergo a baseline week with 10-hour sleep opportunities to establish initial sleep patterns
Experimental Manipulation
Participants are assigned to different levels of sleep restriction and evening light exposure, followed by morning bright light exposure
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in circadian phase and sleep patterns after the experimental manipulation
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Morning bright light
Morning bright light is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:
- Circadian rhythm disorders
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Sleep phase delay
- Circadian rhythm disorders
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Sleep phase delay
- Circadian rhythm disorders
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Sleep phase delay
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Rush University Medical Center
Lead Sponsor