Research Study of Treatment for Winter Depression With Different Colors of Light
Recruitment status was Active, not recruiting
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
The specific aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that light stimuli concentrated around 468 nm will evoke a significantly stronger therapeutic response in SAD patients compared to light stimuli concentrated around 654 nm at an equal photon density.
The secondary objective of this study is to determine the efficacy of different colors and levels of light in order to optimize therapeutic benefit, while also minimizing side effects and maintaining safety of light exposure.
Condition | Intervention | Phase |
---|---|---|
Seasonal Affective Disorder |
Device: Light Box |
Phase 2 |
Study Type: | Interventional |
Study Design: | Allocation: Randomized Endpoint Classification: Safety Study Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment Masking: Double-Blind Primary Purpose: Treatment |
Official Title: | Optimizing Light Wavelength for Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder |
- Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Scale - Seasonal Affective Disorder Version (SIGH-SAD); weekly for three weeks
- Quality of Life in Depression Scale (QLDS); before and after 3-week study
Estimated Enrollment: | 30 |
Study Start Date: | November 2006 |
Estimated Study Completion Date: | November 2006 |
Studies report as many as 1 out of every 5 Americans is affected by mild to severe Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD, winter depression). Although the exact cause of this condition is unknown, bright light has proven to be an effective therapeutic treatment for many people with SAD. The light sources that have been traditionally used for treatment of SAD produce white light with great variability in the balance of wavelengths that are emitted across the visible spectrum. Although several studies have attempted to test the effectiveness of different wavelengths for treatment of SAD, the devices used in those studies employed broad bandwidths of light. With the technological advancements in light emitting diodes (LEDs) the production of new light therapy equipment with much narrower bandwidths of light is possible. Side effects of exposure to traditional white light therapy for SAD have included hypomanic activation, irritability, headache, eyestrain and nausea. We hypothesize that when the wavelength of light therapy is optimized, it should be feasible to elicit strong therapeutic benefits with lower light intensities and fewer side effects. Previous studies, approved by the Jefferson IRB and successfully completed by our laboratory have shown that some colors of light are more effective in treating SAD than other colors.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older |
Genders Eligible for Study: | Both |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Clinical diagnosis of Seasonal Affective Disorder
- Over 18 years old
- Stable sleeping pattern with a bedtime no later than 1 a.m.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Pregnant women
- Concurrent psychiatric illness that would preclude compliance with the protocol
- active suicidal or homicidal ideation or plan
- variable psychiatric illness (i.e. rapid cycling disorder or severe premenstrual syndrome)
- individuals with substance abuse or dependence who have not been in remission for at least one year
- individuals taking photosensitizing medications
- individuals with macular degeneration or other ocular conditions which might be adversely affected by light
- less then six weeks after onset of psychotherapeutic treatment
United States, Pennsylvania | |
Thomas Jefferson University | |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19107 |
Principal Investigator: | George C Brainard, Ph.D. | Thomas Jefferson University |
Publications:
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00269633 History of Changes |
Other Study ID Numbers: | 080-19000-J11401 |
Study First Received: | December 22, 2005 |
Last Updated: | December 22, 2009 |
Health Authority: | United States: Institutional Review Board |
Keywords provided by Thomas Jefferson University:
Seasonal Affective Disorder |
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Seasonal Affective Disorder Mood Disorders Depressive Disorder Mental Disorders |
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on October 16, 2012