Morning Light Exposure for Mood Improvement

(BLM Trial)

Overseen By Camryn Wellman

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Arizona

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Bipolar, Eye diseases, others

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 weeks

480 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether morning blue light exposure (a type of light therapy) can improve mood, sleep patterns, and mental health in military personnel. The study will examine how this light treatment affects individuals with mood issues, sleep troubles, or suicidal thoughts. Participants will begin with either active light treatment or placebo light treatment, switching after a washout period. The trial seeks active military members who have experienced depression, characterized by frequent low moods or sadness. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance mental health treatments for military personnel.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

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

Research has shown that blue light exposure is generally safe. A study on blue light therapy for both seasonal and non-seasonal depression found that most participants did not experience serious side effects. Like other types of light therapy, blue light therapy can improve mood and reset the body's internal clock, which is especially helpful for those with mood issues related to sleep problems. Some individuals might experience mild discomfort, such as headaches or eye strain, but these side effects are usually not serious. Overall, evidence suggests that blue light exposure is a safe option for many. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using blue light exposure for mood improvement because it offers a unique, non-drug approach to managing mood disorders. Unlike traditional treatments like antidepressants or therapy, which can take weeks to show effects and may come with side effects, blue light exposure works by mimicking natural sunlight, potentially boosting mood and energy levels more quickly. This method is appealing because it is non-invasive and could provide a simple daily routine that fits seamlessly into people's lives, offering a promising alternative or complement to existing treatments.

What evidence suggests that morning light exposure is effective for mood improvement?

Research has shown that exposure to blue light, one of the treatments in this trial, can improve mood and regulate sleep patterns. A newer form of "blue light" therapy, using a specific type of light at a 470-nanometer wavelength, has shown promise in treating Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Studies suggest that this light therapy can ease symptoms of depression by affecting the body's internal clock, which controls sleep and wake cycles. Although more research is needed to understand its effects on mood disorders in various situations, early evidence indicates that blue light therapy could help improve mood and sleep. Participants in this trial will receive either blue light exposure or amber light exposure, with each treatment tested for its effectiveness in mood improvement. ^{2 3 4 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking military personnel aged 18-60 with at least an 8th grade reading level and mild depression or greater, as indicated by a score of ≥5 on the PHQ-9. It aims to help those struggling with mood regulation and suicidal thoughts.

Inclusion Criteria

English is my primary language.

I can read and understand texts at or above an 8th grade level.

I have mild or more severe depression according to the PHQ-9.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo a double-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced, crossover design study with 2 weeks of active light therapy and 2 weeks of placebo light therapy, separated by a 2-week washout period.

6 weeks

Daily sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including assessments of sleep and mental health outcomes.

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Amber light exposure
• Blue light exposure

Trial Overview

The study tests whether exposure to blue or amber light in the morning can improve mood, sleep-wake patterns, emotional health, and reduce suicidal thoughts in participants by regulating their circadian rhythms.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Treatment Order A Active Control 1 Intervention

Active light condition for 2 weeks, a 2-week washout period, and 2 weeks of placebo light treatment.

Group II: Treatment Order B Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Placebo light treatment for 2 weeks, a 2-week washout period, and 2 weeks of active light treatment.

Blue light exposure is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Light Therapy for:

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• Circadian Rhythm Disorders
• Mood Dysregulation

Approved in European Union as Phototherapy for:

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• Non-seasonal Depressive Episodes
• Circadian Rhythm Disorders

Approved in Canada as Artificial Light Therapy for:

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• Circadian Rhythm Disorders
• Sleep Disorders

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Arizona

Lead Sponsor

Trials

545

Recruited

161,000+

U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity

Collaborator

Trials

26

Recruited

10,500+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

Light therapy is effective for improving mood in patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), showing significant mood improvements after just 20 minutes of exposure to 10,000 lux of light.

A 40-minute exposure to light therapy provides similar mood benefits as a full 60-minute session, suggesting that shorter treatment durations can still be effective for immediate mood enhancement.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Short exposure to light treatment improves depression scores in patients with seasonal affective disorder: A brief report. Virk, G., Reeves, G., Rosenthal, NE., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 13 patients with winter depression and 13 healthy controls, 1 hour of daily bright light treatment for 2 weeks significantly reduced depression ratings and evening sleepiness in the patients.

Even a brief exposure of just 15 minutes of bright light daily was effective in producing similar improvements, suggesting that light therapy can be a quick and effective intervention for mood enhancement.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of morning light treatment on subjective sleepiness and mood in winter depression. Partonen, T.[2019]

In a study involving 13 outpatients with winter depression and 13 healthy controls, 1 hour of daily bright light treatment for 2 weeks significantly reduced depression ratings and evening sleepiness in patients.

Even a brief 15-minute exposure to bright light each day was effective in producing similar improvements, highlighting the potential of light therapy as a simple and effective intervention for winter depression.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of morning light treatment on subjective sleepiness and mood in winter depression. Partonen, T.[2019]

A study involving 21 mildly depressed geriatric inpatients showed that exposure to artificial sunlight for 30 minutes resulted in a calming effect, decreased heart rate, and increased vagal tone, indicating improved cardiac stress responses during both cognitive tasks and resting periods.

While cognitive performance was not affected by the light exposure, patients preferred to stay in the brightly lit area, suggesting a willingness to engage with the artificial sunlight despite experiencing glare, highlighting the potential for light therapy in mood enhancement.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychophysiological Effects of a Single, Short, and Moderately Bright Room Light Exposure on Mildly Depressed Geriatric Inpatients: A Pilot Study. Canazei, M., Pohl, W., Bauernhofer, K., et al.[2022]

Bright light therapy is an established and effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder and has shown therapeutic benefits for various neurological and psychiatric disorders, including sleep disorders and dementia.

Recent clinical trials have reinforced the efficacy of bright light therapy, highlighting its importance in mental health treatment and prompting advancements in light engineering for improved therapeutic applications.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[The current state of research in bright light therapy]. Bassa, D., Canazei, M., Hinterhuber, H., et al.[2021]

Light therapy is being used more frequently to treat various sleep and psychiatric conditions, such as circadian rhythm sleep disorders and seasonal affective disorder, highlighting its growing importance in clinical practice.

Understanding the neural mechanisms behind circadian rhythms is essential for leveraging light therapy effectively, as it can significantly influence brain function and improve mood and sleep disorders.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Illuminating rationale and uses for light therapy. Shirani, A., St Louis, EK.[2021]

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]

In a study involving 95 patients with bipolar and unipolar depression, morning bright light therapy (BLT) showed significantly higher response (50% vs. 27.9%) and remission rates (28.8% vs. 11.6%) compared to a placebo after 14 days of treatment, indicating its potential efficacy for drug-resistant depression.

While the overall improvement in depression scores (HDRS-21) was not significantly different between the BLT and placebo groups, BLT was particularly effective in patients whose previous treatments had not worked well, suggesting it may be beneficial for a specific subset of patients with non-seasonal depression.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A sham-controlled randomized trial of adjunctive light therapy for non-seasonal depression. Chojnacka, M., Antosik-Wójcińska, AZ., Dominiak, M., et al.[2019]

Bright light therapy is effective for treating seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and has potential applications for other conditions like circadian sleep phase disorders and jet lag, but the safety of different light sources is a concern.

The study analyzed various light therapy fixtures, revealing that many emit unknown spectral emissions that could cause ocular damage, leading to recommendations for safer lamp choices and monitoring for patients undergoing prolonged treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bright light therapy in focus: lamp emission spectra and ocular safety. Remé, CE., Rol, P., Grothmann, K., et al.[2007]

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.

psychiatry.org

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

Bright Light Therapy: Growing Evidence Beyond Seasonal ...

The study found that bright light therapy was associated with a 41% remission rate in people with nonseasonal depression, significantly higher ...

4.

aetna.com

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

Phototherapy for Psychiatric Disorders

Light therapy has been shown to be an effective anti-depressant that “re-sets” the biological clock. These researchers described the protocol of a study that ...

5.

frontiersin.org

frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1257093/full

Circadian light therapy and light dose for depressed young ...

Background: Empirical evidence has shown that light therapy (LT) can reduce depression symptoms by stimulating circadian rhythms.

6.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7187384/

Efficacy and safety of bright light therapy for manic and ...

This systematic review and meta‐analysis evaluated whether bright light therapy (BLT) is an effective and safe treatment for manic/depressive symptoms

7.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0885392425005901

Effectiveness and Safety of Bright Light Therapy in ...

Bright light therapy is considered a well-tolerated and easy to administer form of treatment with relatively low costs. Our systematic review is focused on the ...