Using a sleep and body‑clock treatment to lower depression and suicide risk in older adults
Multi-site, double-blind, randomized-controlled, efficacy trial of the Transdiagnostic Intervention for Sleep and Circadian Dysfunction for depression symptoms in older adults with high suicide risk
Seeing whether a behavioral program that stabilizes sleep and daily body clocks helps adults 21+ with moderate-to-severe depression who have active suicidal thoughts or a past suicide attempt.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11178660 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be randomly assigned at one of several clinic sites to receive the Transdiagnostic Intervention for Sleep and Circadian Dysfunction (TranS-C) or usual care, with study procedures designed to keep treatment allocation blinded. The team will work with you on behavior-based changes to improve sleep timing and daily rhythms and will track whether those sleep changes actually occur (target engagement). Depression symptoms will be measured before treatment and again six months after treatment using standard rating scales, and suicide-related thoughts and behaviors will be tracked with structured interviews and a composite outcome. The goal is to see whether improving sleep-wake rhythms leads to bigger and longer-lasting drops in depression symptoms and lower rates of suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) with moderate-to-severe depression (PHQ‑9 ≥10) who currently have active suicidal ideation and/or a history of a suicide attempt are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People with only mild depression, no suicidal thoughts or history, or those without sleep/circadian problems may be less likely to benefit from this specific treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce depression severity and lower suicidal thoughts and behaviors in older adults by improving sleep and circadian rhythms.
How similar studies have performed: Controlled pilot data in older adults with serious mental illness showed promising improvements in sleep-wake stability and more sustained depression responses, but a full multi-site randomized trial is new.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smagula, Stephen F — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Smagula, Stephen F
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.