Improving treatment for depression in pregnant women using light and sleep therapies
Personalized Integrated Chronotherapy for Perinatal Depression
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 ID | NIH-10523528 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are expectant mothers in their third trimester who have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder.
Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not have a diagnosis of major depressive disorder may not benefit from this research.
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 performed: 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
Providence, United States
- Rhode Island Hospital — Providence, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sharkey, Katherine M — Rhode Island Hospital
- Study coordinator: Sharkey, Katherine M
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 below.