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

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Mood dysregulation and suicidal ideation are closely associated with disruption of sleep and circadian rhythms. Moreover, sleep problems and circadian disruption are commonplace features of military life. Critically, specifically timed light exposure plays a powerful role in regulating mood, circadian rhythms, and sleep-wake patterns. Therefore, we propose to conduct a large-scale clinical trial on the effectiveness of morning light exposure treatment for improving sleep-wake patterns, emotional and mental health, and suicidal thoughts in 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.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment for mood improvement?

Research shows that light therapy, especially in the morning, can improve mood and reduce depression symptoms, particularly in people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Even short exposures to bright light have been found to significantly improve mood. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is morning light exposure generally safe for humans?

Morning light exposure, often used in light therapy, is generally considered safe for humans. Some studies report minor side effects like blurring, but serious issues are rare. Safety measures, such as using lamps without harmful emissions and monitoring eye health, are recommended to minimize risks. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

How does morning light exposure treatment differ from other treatments for mood improvement?

Morning light exposure is unique because it uses bright light to influence mood by stabilizing circadian rhythms (the body's internal clock), which can improve sleep and mood. Unlike medications, it involves sitting near a light box for a set time each morning, making it a non-invasive option without the side effects associated with drugs. ^{1 4 5 9 10}

Eligibility Criteria

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

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

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

CME: Light Therapy: Why, What, for Whom, How, and When (And a Postscript about Darkness). [2022]

2. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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

3. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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

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

Short exposure to light treatment improves depression scores in patients with seasonal affective disorder: A brief report. [2022]

5. Switzerland 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. [2022]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bright light therapy: Minimizing light induced side effects with an innovative light setup. [2014]

7. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A sham-controlled randomized trial of adjunctive light therapy for non-seasonal depression. [2019]

8. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bright light therapy in focus: lamp emission spectra and ocular safety. [2007]

9. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[The current state of research in bright light therapy]. [2021]

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

Illuminating rationale and uses for light therapy. [2021]