Using bright light therapy to help with alcohol withdrawal

Bright Light Therapy During Residential Alcohol Withdrawal : a Double Blind Randomized Placebo Controlled Study

NA · Centre Hospitalier St Anne · NCT06878287

This study is testing if bright light therapy can help people aged 18 to 65 going through alcohol withdrawal feel better compared to a fake light treatment.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorCentre Hospitalier St Anne (other)
Locations1 site (Paris, Île-de-France Region)
Trial IDNCT06878287 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of bright light therapy compared to a placebo in patients undergoing alcohol withdrawal. Eligible participants, aged 18 to 65 with a diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder, will be hospitalized for 14 days and randomly assigned to receive either active light therapy or placebo light therapy. The therapy will be administered daily for 30 minutes each morning during the withdrawal period. The study aims to assess whether light therapy can improve withdrawal outcomes without altering standard care practices.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 65 with a diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder who are undergoing treatment for alcohol withdrawal.

Not a fit: Patients with significant ophthalmic conditions or severe psychiatric comorbidities may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance the management of alcohol withdrawal and improve patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of light therapy in this context is relatively novel, similar studies in other areas have shown promising results.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients must be aged from 18 to 65 years old and have a diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder
* Patients must be intreated for alcohol withdrawal, for at least two weeks
* Patients must report heavy drinking episodes in the past month
* Patients must be able to understand medical information and consent to the treatment
* Patients must be considering a goal of abstinence from alcohol

Exclusion Criteria:

* Ophthalmic pathology (cataract, macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa) and diseases affecting the retina (retinopathy, diabetes, herpes, etc.)
* Subjects who have already received light therapy in the last 6 months
* Lactating of pregnant women
* Psychiatric comorbidity requiring an intreatment, or risk of manic episode (subjects with depressive or anxious symptoms compatible with an out-treatment can be included)
* Substance Use Disorder other than alcohol and/or tobacco
* Severe cognitive impairment (MOCA \< 10)
* Patients being under legal protection measure

Where this trial is running

Paris, Île-de-France Region

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Alcohol Use Disorder, Alcohol Withdrawal

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.