Improving treatment for depression in pregnant women using light and sleep therapies
Official title: Personalized Integrated Chronotherapy for Perinatal Depression
Funded at Rhode Island Hospital · NIH-10523528 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to help expectant mothers dealing with perinatal depression and anxiety by using bright light therapy and sleep management, and it’s looking for participants to see if this approach works better than standard care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rhode Island Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,230,586 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH118269-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10523528 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are expectant mothers in their third trimester who have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not have a diagnosis of major depressive disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new approach to treating perinatal depression and anxiety in expectant mothers by using a combination of bright light therapy and sleep management techniques. The Personalized Integrated Chronotherapy (PIC) intervention aims to address the circadian rhythm disruptions that can worsen these mental health conditions. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either standard care or the PIC intervention alongside standard care, allowing researchers to compare the effectiveness of this innovative treatment. The study will take place at multiple sites to ensure a diverse group of participants and enhance recruitment efforts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and better-tolerated treatment options for pregnant women suffering from depression and anxiety.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using light therapy and sleep interventions for treating mood disorders, suggesting that this approach could be effective for perinatal depression as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Rhode Island Hospital
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sharkey, Katherine M — Rhode Island Hospital
- Study coordinator: Sharkey, Katherine M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Couples-based approach to prevent perinatal depression in rural India
A new, family-focused program helps new mothers and their husbands address perinatal depression in rural India using trained lay counselors.
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Couples-based approach to prevent perinatal depression in rural India
A pilot program in rural India tests a couples-based, lay-counselor–delivered approach to prevent perinatal depression for new mothers and their partners.
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Machine learning to tailor and prevent perinatal depression for pregnant and new mothers
A machine learning project at Carnegie Mellon aims to find personalized, scalable ways to prevent perinatal depression in pregnant people and new mothers.
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Online sleep therapy to prevent depression during and after pregnancy
This project will see whether an online cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia can help prevent depression during pregnancy and in the first year after childbirth for pregnant people with insomnia.
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Understanding how gut and body signals interact to influence perinatal depression
A study of pregnant people exploring how the gut microbiome and body signals contribute to depression during and after pregnancy.
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Couples program to prevent depression during pregnancy and after birth in rural India
A couples-based program to help first-time pregnant women and their partners in rural India lower the chance of depression during pregnancy and after childbirth.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.