Morning light to improve heart and blood sugar health in adults with Type 1 Diabetes
Official title: Morning light treatment to improve cardiometabolic health in adults with Type 1 Diabetes: A Pilot and Feasibility Trial
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11445915 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small trial tests whether morning bright light can improve blood sugar control and blood pressure in adults with Type 1 Diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $320,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK144169-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11445915 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 25–50 with Type 1 Diabetes and an HbA1c between 7.5% and 13% who can use light therapy daily.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who cannot tolerate bright light or have conditions worsened by light exposure may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project will study 60 adults with Type 1 Diabetes, ages 25–50, who will be randomly assigned to receive morning bright light or a control condition for several weeks. Researchers will track changes in blood sugar using continuous glucose monitoring and monitor blood pressure, aiming to see if this non-drug intervention improves circadian rhythms and metabolic health. The study will also assess how easy the treatment is to use, whether people stick to it, and whether it is acceptable to patients. If the approach shows promise, it could lead to a simple, safe way to support cardiovascular and glycemic health in T1D.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience better blood sugar control and lower blood pressure through a non-pharmacologic, easy-to-use morning light therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Morning light therapy has helped circadian health in other groups, but this is the first test in people with Type 1 Diabetes.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knutson, Kristen — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Knutson, Kristen
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Understanding how hypoglycemia awareness changes in adults with type 1 diabetes and how automated insulin delivery and exercise might help restore it
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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.