Light Therapy for Depression

Overseen By Andrew Elliott, MD

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Must not be taking: Photosensitizing medications

Disqualifiers: Total blindness, Significant impairment, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 4 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests light therapy to treat depression, fatigue, and sleep problems in children and teens about to undergo a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), a procedure involving the transplantation of blood-forming stem cells. Participants will receive either bright blue light therapy or dim blue light therapy for 30 minutes daily while hospitalized. The goal is to determine if bright light therapy improves mood, energy, and sleep quality more effectively than dim light therapy. Children and teens scheduled for an HSCT who experience depression symptoms might be suitable for this study. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative treatments that could enhance well-being during a challenging medical procedure.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you are taking photosensitizing medications (drugs that make your skin more sensitive to light).

What prior data suggests that light therapy is safe for children and adolescents undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant?

Research has shown that bright blue-spectrum white light therapy (BL) is generally safe for treating depression. Studies have found it helps reduce symptoms of depression. For instance, one study found that bright light therapy can enhance the effects of regular depression treatments.

Although limited safety information exists for specific groups, BL therapy is often well-tolerated. Most side effects are mild, such as eye strain or headaches. Overall, light therapy is considered a low-risk option. It is also non-invasive, meaning it doesn't involve surgery or medication.

As with any treatment, discussing potential risks with healthcare providers is important. They can offer advice based on individual health needs. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about light therapy for depression because it offers a non-invasive and drug-free alternative to traditional treatments like antidepressants and psychotherapy. Unlike these standard options, light therapy uses bright or dim blue-spectrum white light to potentially improve mood and alleviate depressive symptoms. This approach is especially appealing because it may work faster and with fewer side effects, offering a new avenue for patients who might not respond well to conventional treatments. Additionally, the therapy is easy to administer, requiring just 30 minutes of exposure daily, making it a convenient option for patients during their hospital stay.

What evidence suggests that light therapy could be effective for treating depression in children and adolescents undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant?

Research has shown that bright light therapy (BLT) can help treat depression. A review of 15 studies found that BLT significantly reduces symptoms of depression. This treatment effectively addresses not only Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) but also other types of depression. In this trial, participants will receive either bright blue-spectrum white light (BL) or dim blue-spectrum white light control (DL) as separate treatment arms. Studies also suggest that blue-enriched light, similar to bright white light, can be helpful. These findings support using BLT to improve mood and possibly aid with sleep and tiredness. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Andrew Elliott, MD

Principal Investigator

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for children and adolescents who are about to receive a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and may experience depression, fatigue, or sleep issues. Specific eligibility criteria details were not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

I or my primary caregiver can read and write in English or Spanish.

Participant/guardian is willing to sign informed consent

I am scheduled for a stem cell transplant from a donor in the next 7 to 10 days.

Exclusion Criteria

Inability or unwillingness of research participant or legal guardian/representative to give written informed consent

I am taking medication that increases my skin's sensitivity to light.

Any patient that, in the opinion of the primary investigator is not appropriate for the study

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive light therapy with either bright or dim blue-spectrum white light for 30 minutes each day for 28 days during their HSCT related hospital admission

4 weeks

Daily sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including assessments of depression, fatigue, and sleep quality

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Light Therapy

Trial Overview The study tests the effectiveness of Light Therapy using an Ayo wearable device to treat depression in pediatric patients undergoing HSCT. It compares Bright Light (BL) therapy with Dim Light (DL), also looking at effects on fatigue and sleep quality.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Group 1-A bright blue-spectrum white light (BL Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will receive therapy with bright blue-spectrum white light (BL) for up to thirty minutes each day for 28 days during their HSCT related hospital admission

Group II: Group 2- A dim blue-spectrum white light control (DL Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will receive therapy with dim blue-spectrum white light control (DL) for up to thirty minutes each day for 28 days during their HSCT related hospital admission

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials

451

Recruited

5,326,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Light therapy, originally developed for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), has shown efficacy not only for SAD but also for other psychiatric conditions, including nonseasonal major depressive disorder and bipolar depression, particularly in cases resistant to traditional treatments.

Recent studies suggest that light therapy can improve cognitive function in adults with ADHD, enhance motor function in Parkinson's disease, and alleviate rest-activity disturbances in elderly patients with dementia, indicating its broad therapeutic potential.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evolving applications of light therapy. Terman, M.[2022]

In a study involving 42 patients with major depressive disorder, both bright white-light therapy (2,500 lux) and dim red-light therapy (50 lux) were administered daily for seven days without any significant differences in side effects between the two treatments.

This suggests that light therapy, regardless of intensity, may be a safe option for treating depression without increasing the risk of adverse effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Side-effects of phototherapy in nonseasonal depressive disorder. Volz, HP., Mackert, A., Stieglitz, RD.[2004]

In a study involving 20 healthy participants, a new bright light therapy (BLT) cabin showed no reports of headaches, which are a common side effect of conventional BLT devices.

While some participants experienced blurring of vision (21.1% prevalence), the absence of headaches suggests that this new technology may improve patient adherence to treatment for seasonal depression.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bright light therapy: Minimizing light induced side effects with an innovative light setup. Leichtfried, V., Kantner-Rumplmair, W., Bartenbach, C., et al.[2014]

Light therapy is an effective, evidence-based treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder, influencing circadian rhythms that affect sleep, mood, and cognition, based on 40 years of clinical trials.

For optimal results, light therapy should use devices that provide 10,000 lux of white light for 30-60 minutes in the early morning, with ongoing monitoring to adjust treatment as needed and manage any side effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

CME: Light Therapy: Why, What, for Whom, How, and When (And a Postscript about Darkness). Wirz-Justice, A., Terman, AM.[2022]

Wake therapy is the fastest antidepressant treatment available, with about 60% of patients experiencing significant improvement within hours, and can be combined with light therapy or medications to prevent relapse.

Light therapy is effective for treating major depression, including non-seasonal types, and can enhance the effects of conventional antidepressants, making it a good option for patients who cannot tolerate medications.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Chronotherapeutics (light and wake therapy) in affective disorders. Wirz-Justice, A., Benedetti, F., Berger, M., et al.[2019]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6746555/

Bright Light Therapy: Seasonal Affective Disorder and Beyond Together, these data strongly suggest that BLT is an effective treatment for depression in general and not just for patients suffering from SAD, as was ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1876201824002429

The effect of bright light therapy on major depressive disorder Meta-analysis on 15 randomised controlled trials suggested bright light therapy alleviated depressive symptoms. •. Results also showed bright light therapy is ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11900944/

The Use of Phototherapy for the Treatment of Non ... Pooled data analysis confirms that bright light therapy (≥5000 lux for ≥30 min) effectively enhances standard antidepressant treatment for major ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032711004885

The effects of blue-enriched light treatment compared to ... Recent data indeed suggest that low intensity blue-enriched light may be as effective as standard bright light treatment.

5. bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-016-0729-5

The effects of low-intensity narrow-band blue-light treatment ... Light treatment is an effective treatment for Sub-SAD. The use of narrow-band blue-light treatment is equally effective as bright white-light treatment.

6. aetna.com aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/300_399/0370.html

Phototherapy for Psychiatric Disorders Efficacy and safety of bright light therapy for manic and depressive symptoms in patients with bipolar disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

7. psychiatry.org psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/bright-light-therapy-beyond-seasonal-depression

Bright Light Therapy: Growing Evidence Beyond Seasonal ... A study published in JAMA Psychiatry in late 2024, found that bright light therapy was an effective supplementary treatment for depressive disorders other than ...

8. mayoclinic.org mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/in-depth/seasonal-affective-disorder-treatment/art-20048298

Seasonal affective disorder treatment: Choosing a light box Light therapy boxes can offer an effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder. Features such as light intensity, safety, cost and style are important ...