Light therapy for children in the pediatric ICU
Official title: Feasibility of Light Therapy in the Pediatric ICU
Run by Nationwide Children's Hospital · NCT07384585 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will try daily bedside light therapy for children aged 4–17 in the pediatric ICU to see how easy it is to deliver and whether patients, families, and staff tolerate it.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 4 Years to 17 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Nationwide Children's Hospital Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | cart |
| Locations | 1 site (Columbus, Ohio) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 26, 2026 |
| Main results expected | January 2027 |
| Study ends | January 2027 |
| Registry record updated | May 22, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07384585 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Children aged 4–17 admitted to the pediatric ICU who are expected to remain at least 48 hours, can receive light at the bedside (eyes open, no contraindicating conditions), and have an English-speaking parent or legal representative available at the bedside.
✕Probably not a fit
Children who cannot open their eyes, have retinal disease or other contraindications (e.g., seizure disorder, bipolar disorder), are receiving palliative/end-of-life care, are wards of the state, or whose rooms cannot fit the light equipment are unlikely to receive benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Children admitted to the pediatric ICU will have a light meter at their bedside and will receive a light box placed at the bedside each morning for up to five days. Light exposure will be recorded and children, family members, and staff will complete brief feedback surveys about the device and experience. The protocol excludes patients who cannot open their eyes or who have contraindications to light therapy, and requires an English-speaking parent or legal representative at the bedside. The primary goal is to document feasibility, acceptability, and practical issues of delivering light therapy in the PICU setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If feasible, this could make it practical to deliver bedside light therapy to help support circadian rhythms and sleep in critically ill children, which might aid comfort and recovery.
How similar studies have gone: Light therapy has shown promise for circadian regulation in adult ICU and outpatient settings, but its use in pediatric critical care is limited and relatively untested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Anticipated to remain admitted to the study hospital pediatric ICU for additional 48 hours * English-speaking parent/legally authorized representative available at the bedside Exclusion Criteria: * Patients unable to open their eyes to receive light therapy (Glasgow Coma Scale eye opening score of 1 or neuromuscular blockade) * Patients with contraindications to light therapy (e.g., migraines, retinal disease, diseases associated with retinal complications, blindness, bipolar disorder, seizure disorder, traumatic brain injury) * Suspected/identified neglect/abuse, Child Protective Services involvement, or ward of state * Children receiving palliative/end-of-life care * Unable to fit light box/cart in patient room
Where it's running
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Nationwide Children's Hospital
Columbus, Ohio, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Laura Beth Kalvas, PhD, RN
- Email: laurabeth.kalvas@nationwidechildrens.org
- Phone: 614-304-1872
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.