Changing room lighting to slow or speed labor contractions
Impact of Light on Labor Progression
This test sees if altering room light (bright versus dim/red) can help slow down or speed up labor contractions in pregnant people.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 42 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Michigan State University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (East Lansing, Michigan) |
| Trial ID | NCT04521972 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers will recruit pregnant participants early in prenatal care and collect sleep/activity questionnaires and timed saliva samples taken under different lighting conditions to measure melatonin. Participants will use a home uterine contraction monitor, report lighting and contraction data, and adapt room lighting at prescribed times at home and in hospital (bright lights to halt, reduced/red lights to promote). The study links lighting, melatonin measures, contraction patterns, and labor outcomes such as success of induction and vaginal birth versus cesarean delivery. Data will be collected at scheduled prenatal visits and around the time of labor to compare outcomes under different lighting conditions.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Pregnant people aged 18–42 who are medically cleared, willing to collect saliva samples, wear a home contraction monitor, and adapt lighting at home and in hospital are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with exclusions like pre-pregnancy BMI over 36, certain infections or severe anemia, major psychiatric disorders, or those unable/unwilling to change lighting or use the monitor may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, simple changes to room lighting could increase the chance of vaginal birth and reduce the need for cesarean deliveries and their complications.
How similar studies have performed: A small body of literature links nocturnal melatonin to uterine activity, but using room lighting to alter labor outcomes is a novel approach that has not yet been proven in large trials.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: * Are pregnant * Are 18-42 years old * Medically cleared for participation by Medical Investigator * Willingness to allow the study access to information in the participant's medical record * Willingness to be notified of incidental findings from study procedures * Willingness to measure and report on lighting conditions during specified time periods * Willingness to use a uterine contraction home monitor system, and report results * Willingness to adapt lighting during studies in home and/or hospital * Willingness to wear blue-filter glasses if requested * Willingness to report use of melatonin (for sleep) * Willingness to stop melatonin use if requested Exclusion criteria * Pre-pregnancy BMI \>36kg/m2 * HIV or AIDS (self-reported) * Severe anemia (hemoglobin \<8g/dL and/or hematocrit \<24%) * History or current psychotic disorder or diagnosis of a current major depressive episode or bipolar disorder * Current use of one or more of the following medications: metformin, systemic steroids, antipsychotic agents (e.g., Abilify, Haldol, Risperdal, Seroquel, Zyprexa), anti-seizure medications or mood stabilizers that would be expected to have a significant impact on body weight (e.g., Depakote, Lamictal, Lithium, Neurontin, Tegretol, Topamax, Keppra), medications for ADHD including amphetamines and methylphenidate * Continued use of weight loss medication including OTC and dietary supplements for weight loss (e.g., Adipex, Suprenza, Tenuate, Xenical, Alli, conjugated linoleic acid, Hoodia, Green tea extract, Guar gum, HydroxyCut, Sensa, Corti-slim, Chromium, chitosan, Bitter orange) Other Exclusion Criteria * Recent history of or currently smoking, drinking alcohol or abusing drugs (prescription or recreational) * Plans to move out of the study area within the next year or plans to be out of the study area for more than 8 weeks in the next 12 months * Planned termination of pregnancy
Where this trial is running
East Lansing, Michigan
- Michigan State University — East Lansing, Michigan, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Hanne M Hoffmann, PhD — Michigan State University
- Study coordinator: Hanne M Hoffmann, PhD
- Email: hanne@msu.edu
- Phone: 858 344 8389
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.