Light exposure and sleep in teens with migraine
Official title: The impact of photophobia on daily light exposure in adolescents with migraine: a real-world study.
Funded at Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-11449954 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Teens with migraine and light sensitivity will wear sensors to track daily light and sleep, helping researchers understand how light exposure affects symptoms and nighttime rest.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $708,565 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS146306-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449954 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adolescents and young adults aged 13–21 with migraine-related photophobia or migraine-free controls for comparison, willing to wear light and sleep sensors.
✕Less likely to help
Participants without migraine or without photophobia may not directly benefit from the study outcomes.
What this research studies
This project follows adolescents with migraine and matched controls to monitor real-world light exposure and sleep using wearable sensors. Researchers will collect continuous data on ambient light and sleep patterns over daily life to see how photophobia might drive light avoidance and impact sleep quality. The study aims to identify whether patterns of light exposure relate to worsening light sensitivity over time and whether early habits form that could influence long-term well-being. By comparing migraine and non-migraine teens, the study seeks insights that could inform personalized guidance for healthier daily light environments. Participants will contribute their wearing time and accept noninvasive sensors as part of a minimally disruptive observation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to better recommendations for managing light exposure to improve sleep and reduce light sensitivity in adolescents with migraine.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using wearable sensors have successfully linked light exposure to sleep patterns, but this study advances understanding in a pediatric migraine population.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Patterson Gentile, Carlyn Anne — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Patterson Gentile, Carlyn Anne
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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.