Sleep and bright-light program for teens with depression and sleep problems
Official title: Transdiagnostic Sleep and Circadian Intervention + Bright Light in Adolescents With Elevated Depression
Run by University of Pittsburgh · NCT06963463 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will try a sleep-and-bright-light program to improve sleep and mood in teens aged 12–18 with moderate-to-severe depression and clinically significant sleep problems who are at risk for suicidal thoughts.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 12 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 90 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Pittsburgh Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 6, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | July 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | June 4, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06963463 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are English-speaking adolescents aged 12–18 with moderate-to-severe depression (PHQ-9 ≥11), clinically significant sleep disturbance, and identified as at-risk for suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with untreated obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, psychosis, bipolar disorder, or developmental disabilities that preclude understanding procedures are excluded and unlikely to 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
This randomized study adapts a modular Transdiagnostic Sleep and Circadian Intervention (TranS-C) with bright light (TranS-C+BL) for adolescents at elevated risk for suicidal thoughts and clinically significant sleep disturbance. Seventy-five youth aged 12–18 identified in primary care will be randomized 2:1 to TranS-C+BL plus sleep feedback versus sleep feedback alone. All participants will wear an actigraphy watch and complete daily sleep diaries to provide objective and subjective sleep data while the team uses health-equity implementation methods to tailor the intervention for diverse and high-risk populations. Primary outcomes include sleep measures, depressive symptoms, and suicidal thoughts/behaviors collected over the intervention period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve sleep and reduce depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts in at-risk adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: TranS-C is an evidence-based modular sleep intervention that has shown benefits for sleep and some mood outcomes, but combining it with bright-light therapy and adapting it specifically for high-risk adolescents is a novel approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adolescents (12-18) * Current moderate to severe depression as measured by the PHQ-9M with a total score of greater than or equal to 11 * Current clinically significant sleep disturbance measured by the PHQ-9-M sleep item greater than or equal to 2. * English language fluency and literacy sufficient to engage in study protocol. Exclusion Criteria: * Evidence of obstructive sleep apnea, * Evidence of restless legs syndrome * Evidence of psychosis * Evidence of bipolar disorder * Evidence of a developmental disability precluding comprehension of study procedures per electronic health record and eligibility screening.
Where it's running
-
Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting -
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Tina Goldstein, Ph.D — University of Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Brandie George-Milford, MA
- Email: georgeba2@upmc.edu
- Phone: 412-246-5629
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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.