Light Therapy for Traumatic Brain Injury

(GLIMPSE-LION Trial)

Overseen By Jonathan Elliott, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Oregon Health and Science University

Disqualifiers: Macular degeneration, Bipolar disorder, Shift work, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 4 weeks

300 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether morning bright light therapy can improve brain health by enhancing sleep in people with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). It explores how this therapy might affect inflammation and brain cell function. Participants will be divided into two groups: one will receive morning bright light exposure, and the other will use a negative ion generator, which releases negatively charged ions into the air. Individuals with a traumatic brain injury and sleep disturbances may qualify, provided they do not have certain eye or mental health conditions and have not used similar therapies before. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research that could enhance sleep and brain health for TBI patients.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

A previous study found that bright light therapy helped reduce symptoms like depression and tiredness in people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). It also improved sleep and brain function. While the results are promising, the quality of the evidence varies, so further research is needed to confirm these findings.

For negative ion generator therapy, less information is available. Some studies suggest it might have manageable side effects for TBI patients. It's important to note that the FDA does not regulate negative ion generators, which means their safety and effectiveness can vary.

Overall, both treatments are generally considered safe, but the strength of the evidence supporting their safety and effectiveness differs. Always consult healthcare professionals before deciding to join a clinical trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these treatments for traumatic brain injury because they offer innovative, non-invasive approaches. Morning Bright Light Therapy is unique as it utilizes light exposure to potentially enhance brain function and mood, which is different from standard medications that often target specific symptoms or neurotransmitters. Negative Ion Generator Therapy uses negative ions to possibly improve mood and cognitive function, offering a novel mechanism compared to traditional drug therapies. These therapies could provide new options for patients with fewer side effects and greater accessibility.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for traumatic brain injury?

This trial will compare Morning Bright Light Therapy and Negative Ion Generator Therapy for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Research has shown that Morning Bright Light Therapy can benefit people with TBI. One study found it reduced depression symptoms by 35% and PTSD or anxiety symptoms by 40% in participants. Other studies suggest it may also improve sleep quality and cognitive abilities. Additionally, bright light therapy might help reduce fatigue and enhance emotional recovery.

For Negative Ion Generator Therapy, less direct evidence exists regarding its effectiveness for TBI. Most research focuses on improving sleep and overall quality of life, but specific data on TBI recovery remains limited. More studies are needed to confirm its potential benefits for traumatic brain injuries. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for people who have had a traumatic brain injury and are experiencing sleep problems. Participants should not have other major health issues that could interfere with the study.

Inclusion Criteria

Be accessible via phone

MRI compatibility: no history of non-removable hearing aids, middle/inner ear prosthesis, or dentures

I am able to understand and discuss the study details.

Exclusion Criteria

Currently using a lightbox or a negative ion generator

I have been diagnosed with macular degeneration.

History of bipolar disorder

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive morning bright light therapy or negative ion generator therapy for 4 weeks

4 weeks

Daily sessions (in-person or at home)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in systemic inflammation, mitochondrial function, and glymphatic function

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Morning Bright Light Therapy
• Negative Ion Generator Therapy

Trial Overview

The study compares morning bright light therapy to negative ion generator therapy to see which helps improve sleep and brain health after a traumatic brain injury. Participants are randomly assigned to one of these treatments.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Negative Ion Generator Therapy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Exposure to negative ions in the morning every day for an hour for 4 weeks.

Group II: Morning Bright Light Therapy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Exposure to bright light in the morning every day for an hour for 4 weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Oregon Health and Science University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,024

Recruited

7,420,000+

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7861530/

Blue-wavelength light therapy for post-traumatic brain injury ...

Moderate-quality evidence suggested that BWLT was effective in reducing post-TBI depression and fatigue. The low and very low quality of evidence suggested that ...

2.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01747811

Effects of Bright Light Therapy in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Bright light therapy may increase the likelihood that they will recover more quickly, benefit more extensively from other forms of therapy, and build emotional ...

3.

medicine.utah.edu

medicine.utah.edu/neurology/news/2025/12/shining-new-light-treatment-traumatic-brain-injury

Shining New Light on Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury

Their initial firefighter study documented a 35% decrease in depression symptoms and 40% decrease in PTSD or anxiety symptoms. Cognitive ...

4.

mdpi.com

mdpi.com/2624-5175/6/2/18

Efficacy of Morning Shorter Wavelength Lighting in the ...

In the mild TBI studies, no fatigue outcome was reported. Therefore, the effects of shorter wavelength lighting in the visible (blue) range and ...

5.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9009710/

Feasibility and preliminary efficacy for morning bright light ...

Additionally, light therapy was also recently shown to improve post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity in Veterans with PTSD, ...

6.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8256500/

Home-based light therapy for fatigue following acquired brain ...

The findings of this study suggested that light therapy may be an effective treatment for fatigue and sleepiness following brain injury. The requirement to ...

7.

news.ohsu.edu

news.ohsu.edu/2025/11/14/ohsu-research-will-examine-effect-of-bright-light-therapy-on-brain-health

OHSU research will examine effect of bright-light therapy ...

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have earned a four-year, $4 million award to determine whether bright-light therapy improves ...