Using bright light therapy to help treat opioid use disorder
Adjunctive Wearable Bright Light Therapy for Patients With Opioid Use Disorder: A Pilot Study
This study is testing if bright light therapy can help people with opioid use disorder feel better and sleep more soundly while they are getting treatment.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 23 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Arizona State University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Phoenix, Arizona) |
| Trial ID | NCT05459922 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot trial evaluates the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of bright light therapy (BLT) for patients undergoing medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). The study involves a single-blind, parallel arm, randomized placebo-controlled design, where participants will use either a wearable BLT device or a placebo device. The aim is to assess whether BLT can improve reward system functioning and alleviate sleep disturbances associated with OUD. The findings will help establish the groundwork for a larger clinical trial in the future.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 65 who are enrolled in outpatient medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder and have experienced insomnia.
Not a fit: Patients with a history of bipolar disorder, narcolepsy, or other specified sleep disorders may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance treatment outcomes for patients with opioid use disorder by improving sleep quality and reward system function.
How similar studies have performed: While bright light therapy has shown efficacy in treating other conditions, this specific application for opioid use disorder is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * age between 18 and 65 * ability to speak, write, and read in English * past 2 weeks of insomnia as evidenced by Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) total score of ≥10 * enrolled in outpatient medication-assisted treatment for OUD (i.e., either methadone or buprenorphine treatment) * been in medication-assisted treatment for at least 3 months * at least one month of stable methadone or buprenorphine dose * have a smartphone Exclusion Criteria: * lifetime history of bipolar disorder or mania * current narcolepsy, sleep paralysis, or restless leg syndrome as assessed by medical history * history of seizure disorders/epilepsy * the STOP-Bang score for obstructive sleep apnea ≥ 5 * retinal pathology, history of eye surgery or taking photosensitizing medications (e.g., lithium, L-tryptophan) * current regular use of melatonin * have circumstances that would interfere with study participation (e.g., impending jail sentence) * previous experience with bright light therapy * working a night shift or traveling outside the Arizona time zone in the past month * pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding * currently wearing prescription glasses with blue-light protection
Where this trial is running
Phoenix, Arizona
- Arizona State University — Phoenix, Arizona, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Chung Jung Mun, Ph.D. — Arizona State University
- Study coordinator: Chung Jung Mun, Ph.D.
- Email: ChungJung.Mun@asu.edu
- Phone: 602-496-2992
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.