Morning light to reset the body clock for multiple myeloma patients having autologous stem cell transplant
Systematic Light Exposure Effects on Circadian Rhythms Entrainment, Inflammation, Neutropenic Fever and Symptom Burden among Multiple Myeloma Patients undergoing Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation
This project uses bright, circadian-friendly morning light in hospital rooms for people with multiple myeloma receiving autologous stem cell transplants to help them sleep better, lower inflammation, and reduce fevers and symptom burden.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11137688 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be randomly assigned to have your hospital room receive a morning, circadian-effective light intervention or standard hospital lighting during your transplant hospitalization. Researchers will collect samples (like blood and melatonin measures), track fevers, record sleep, mood, pain, and other symptoms, and measure inflammatory markers. The trial builds on a smaller pilot (R21) that showed higher nighttime melatonin, less depression, lower inflammatory cytokines, and fewer fevers with morning light. This is a larger, multi-site randomized trial aiming to confirm those findings in transplant patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with multiple myeloma who are scheduled to undergo autologous stem cell transplantation at a participating transplant center would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without multiple myeloma, not undergoing autologous stem cell transplant, or not hospitalized during the intervention would not be eligible and therefore would not benefit from this trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the lighting intervention could improve sleep, lower inflammation and neutropenic fevers, and reduce symptom burden during and after transplant.
How similar studies have performed: A prior pilot (R21) from the same team showed improved nocturnal melatonin, reduced depression and inflammatory cytokines, better sleep, and fewer neutropenic fevers with morning circadian lighting.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Valdimarsdottir, Heiddis — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Valdimarsdottir, Heiddis
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.