Morning bright light therapy to slow or prevent adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This single-blind, randomized controlled trial enrolls 10–15-year-old patients with idiopathic scoliosis who are classified as evening chronotypes. Participants are randomized to daily morning bright light therapy plus sleep hygiene education or to sleep hygiene education alone, with baseline standing full-spine X-rays and scheduled follow-up radiographs to track Cobb angle changes. Eligible participants are skeletally immature (Risser 0–3) with major Cobb angles under 40° and must be able to use the light device and attend follow-up visits. The trial tests whether advancing circadian phase during the peripubertal period can alter the natural history of scoliosis progression or de novo onset.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age between 10 and 15 years.
2. Classified as evening chronotype based on the reduced Horne-Östberg Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ), defined as a score \< 12.
3. Has undergone radiographic evaluation (standing full-spine X-ray) for idiopathic scoliosis at the initial clinic visit.
4. Skeletally immature (Risser sign 0-3) with a major Cobb angle \< 40 degrees at baseline.
5. Written informed consent/assent provided by the participant and legal guardian.
6. Willing and able to comply with the study protocol, including device use and scheduled follow-ups.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Plans to relocate outside the study area within the next 24 months.
2. Use of medications that may interfere with circadian rhythm within the past 3 months (e.g., lithium, exogenous melatonin, melatonergic antidepressants).
3. Trans-meridian travel across at least two time zones within the past 3 months or anticipated during the study period.
4. Presence of any eye disease (e.g., glaucoma, retinal disease, macular degeneration) that could be exacerbated by or interfere with light therapy.
5. Clinically diagnosed sleep disorder (e.g., narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome) or prominent medical condition known to interfere with sleep continuity and quality (e.g., moderate-to-severe eczema).
6. Severe chronic health conditions that could confound study outcomes, including but not limited to:

   * Known syndromic, neuromuscular, or congenital musculoskeletal causes of scoliosis.
   * History of spine surgery or significant spinal trauma.
   * Spinal tumor.
   * Leg length discrepancy \> 20 mm.
   * Other severe chronic diseases (e.g., poorly controlled diabetes, chronic liver or renal disease, malabsorption syndromes).
   * Severe obesity (body mass index z-score ≥ 3).

Where it's running

• The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University
  Zhejiang, Zhejiang, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Xiangyang Wang
• Email: Xiangyangwang@wmu.edu.com
• Phone: 13506663458

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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• Characterization of Visual Perception Impairments in Idiopathic Scoliosis

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• Vitamin A supplementation for children with idiopathic scoliosis

  This test gives daily vitamin A to children with idiopathic scoliosis who have low vitamin A to see if it reduces curve size or prevents new curves.

  Recruiting Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University · Wenzhou, Zhejiang · NCT07335991

• Adenotonsillectomy and spinal curve changes in children with sleep-disordered breathing

  This trial will test whether removing the adenoids and tonsils can reduce or prevent worsening of spinal curves in children aged 6–15 who have mild sleep-disordered breathing and scoliosis or are at risk.

  Recruiting Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University · Wenzhou, Zhejiang · NCT07332780

• Enhanced Recovery After Surgery for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery

  This study tests whether an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol helps teens recover after spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis.

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• Comparing pain relief methods for scoliosis surgery patients

  This study tests whether a new pain relief method works better than the standard one for patients recovering from scoliosis surgery.

  Recruiting Tanta University · Tanta, El-Gharbia · NCT06820190

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.