Light + Online Therapy for ADHD

Overseen By Maya Tooker, B.S.

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles

Must not be taking: Sleep medications, Photosensitizing medications

Disqualifiers: Bipolar, Psychosis, Autism, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

6 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The primary aim of the present research project is to examine the feasibility, as measured by treatment perceptions, and tolerability, as measured by adherence and attrition, of two weeks of flashed light therapy alone followed by four weeks of daily flashed light therapy combined with four weekly videoconference-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy sessions targeting circadian rhythms and sleep in four adolescents aged 14 to 17 years with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and delayed sleep-wake schedules.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you do not change any psychiatric medications within one month before starting the study and during the study. Also, you cannot use any over-the-counter or prescribed sleep medications in the past month or during the study.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Flashed Light Therapy and Videoconference-delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for ADHD?

Research shows that online behavioral parent training and internet-based interventions can be effective for managing ADHD symptoms, with high engagement and improved outcomes similar to face-to-face methods. This suggests that videoconference-delivered therapy could be a promising approach for ADHD treatment. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is light therapy safe for humans?

Research on light therapy, often used for conditions like seasonal affective disorder (SAD), suggests it is generally safe for humans. Studies have looked at potential eye risks and found no significant hazards, even with long-term use. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How is Flashed Light Therapy different from other treatments for ADHD?

Flashed Light Therapy is unique because it uses light exposure to help realign the body's internal clock, which can improve sleep patterns and reduce ADHD symptoms. This approach is different from traditional ADHD treatments that often rely on medication to manage symptoms. ^{6 7 8 11 12}

Research Team

Emily J Ricketts, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of California, Los Angeles

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adolescents aged 14-17 with ADHD-combined type and delayed sleep-wake schedules. They must have trouble sleeping early, difficulty waking up, significant ADHD severity, an evening chronotype, and moderate to severe global functioning impairment. Participants need to be attending school during the study and fluent in English.

Inclusion Criteria

Age of 14 to 17 years

Current DSM-5 diagnosis of ADHD-combined presentation

Self-reported average bedtime of 11:00 pm or later, with difficulty shifting bedtime earlier and difficulty waking up early enough in the morning

Exclusion Criteria

Use of photosensitizing medication within one month of study enrollment or planned during the study

Travel across > 2 time zones in the past month or planned travel outside of the time zone of participation during the study

Structural barriers to sleep (e.g., night shift work, extracurriculars scheduled until late in the evening, early rising for sports practice)

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Assessment

Participants undergo an 8-hour baseline assessment involving interviews, questionnaires, and saliva sampling to assess the internal body clock.

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment Phase 1

Participants receive daily flashed light therapy for 60 minutes, beginning 75 minutes prior to average morning wake time, for two weeks.

2 weeks

Daily self-administered

Mid-treatment Assessment

Participants complete an 8-hour mid-treatment assessment involving interviews, questionnaires, and saliva sampling.

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment Phase 2

Participants continue daily flashed light therapy combined with weekly 50-minute videoconference-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for four weeks.

4 weeks

4 visits (virtual)

Post-treatment Assessment

Participants undergo an 8-hour post-treatment assessment involving interviews, questionnaires, and saliva sampling.

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment.

1 week

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Flashed Light Therapy
• Videoconference-delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Trial Overview The study tests flashed light therapy alone for two weeks followed by a combination of daily light therapy with weekly videoconference-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy sessions targeting circadian rhythms and sleep over four weeks.

Participant Groups

Group I: 1) Flashed Light Therapy, 2) Flashed Light Therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Treatment Phase 1 (2 weeks duration): light flashes administered for 60 minutes daily beginning 75 minutes prior to the participant's average morning wake time and ending 15 minutes before average morning wake time. Treatment Phase 2 (4 weeks duration): will begin immediately following phase 1 and involve daily light flashes (as described above) combined with weekly 50-minute videoconference-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Los Angeles

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,594

Recruited

10,430,000+

Findings from Research

A randomized controlled trial with 22 participants showed that group parent training for ADHD delivered via videoconferencing is as effective as traditional face-to-face training, improving parents' disciplinary practices and children's global functioning.

Parents in the videoconference group reported statistically greater improvements in hyperactive symptoms compared to the face-to-face group, indicating that this method is not only effective but also well-accepted by parents, making it a valuable option for areas lacking ADHD treatment services.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A study on the effectiveness of videoconferencing on teaching parent training skills to parents of children with ADHD. Xie, Y., Dixon, JF., Yee, OM., et al.[2013]

References

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

Face-to-Face Versus Online Behavioral Parent Training for Young Children at Risk for ADHD: Treatment Engagement and Outcomes. [2019]

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

Feasibility and Acceptability of an Internet-Based Intervention for Young Adults with ADHD. [2022]

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

Duration of effect of oral long-acting stimulant medications for ADHD throughout the day. [2015]

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

Effect of treatment modality on long-term outcomes in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review. [2018]

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

A study on the effectiveness of videoconferencing on teaching parent training skills to parents of children with ADHD. [2013]

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

Fluorescent lighting: a purported source of hyperactive behavior. [2019]

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

An open trial of light therapy in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. [2022]

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

A controlled trial of light therapy for the treatment of pediatric seasonal affective disorder. [2022]

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

Ophthalmologic examination of patients with seasonal affective disorder, before and after bright light therapy. [2019]

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

100,000 lumens to treat seasonal affective disorder: A proof of concept RCT of Bright, whole-ROom, All-Day (BROAD) light therapy. [2023]

11. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Efficacy of variable light in child and adolescent psychiatry]. [2017]

12. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

ADHD 24/7: Circadian clock genes, chronotherapy and sleep/wake cycle insufficiencies in ADHD. [2021]